Table 1.

Evolution of Diagnostic Criteria for Adult Hypertension

Guidelines	Year Published	Basis for Hypertension	Diagnostic Criteria
			BP, mm Hg	Age, y
WHO	1978	SBP or DBP	≥160/95
WHO	1994	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90
WHO/ISH	1993/1999/2003	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90
		ISH	≥140/<90
JNC 1	1976	DBP	>90
JNC 2	1980	DBP	>90
JNC 3	1984	DBP	≥90
		IsoSH	≥160/<90
JNC 4	1988	DBP	≥90
		IsoSH	≥160/<90
JNC 5	1993	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90
JNC 6	1997	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90
JNC 7	2003	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90
JNC 8	2014	SBP and/or DBP	≥150/90	≥60
			≥140/90	<60
ESH/ESC	2003/2007/2009/2013	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90
		IsoSH	≥140/<90
ASH/ISH	2013	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90	18–79
			≥150/90	≥80
ACCF/AHA	2011	SBP and/or DBP	≥140/90	65–79
			≥145/90	≥80

Abbreviations: ACCF, American College of Cardiology Foundation; AHA, American Heart Association; ASH, American Society of Hypertension; BP, blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; ESH, European Society of Hypertension; IsoSH, isolated systolic hypertension; JNC, Joint National Committee; SBP, systolic blood pressure; WHO, World Health Organization.