Table II.

Recommendations for Treating African‐American Patients With Hypertension

Goal blood pressure

<140/90 mm Hg or <130/80 for those with

diabetes or chronic kidney disease

Lifestyle changes

Weight loss (use DASH diet)

Increase activity

Emphasize dietary potassium

Patient and family obtain CPR training

Pharmacotherapy

Diuretic and β blockers as step 1 treatments

Begin combination therapy at a lower threshold

Uncomplicated cases: 150/100 mm Hg

With complications: 145/90 mm Hg

One of the drugs should be a diuretic

CPR=cardiopulmonary resuscitation; DASH=Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension; ESRD=end‐stage renal disease Sources: JAMA. 2003;289:2560–2572 19 ; Douglas JG, Bakris GL, Epstein M, et al. Management of high blood pressure in African Americans: consensus statement of the Hypertension in African Americans Working Group of the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:525–541.