Question

A 55-year-old man with no past medical history has three separate automated office blood pressure readings of 148/92, 152/94, and 150/90 mm Hg taken on different days. His home blood pressure averages 138/86 mm Hg. According to current Canadian guidelines, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Confirm hypertension diagnosis and initiate lifestyle measures plus pharmacotherapy

Answer

Start an ACE inhibitor now and target systolic BP <120 mm Hg

Answer

Repeat office blood pressure in 1 year with no further action

Answer

Ignore the home readings and diagnose white coat hypertension

Answer

Order 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and defer any treatment until results are back

Practice question

A 55-year-old man with no past medical history has three separate automated office blood pressure readings of 148/92, 152/94, and 150/90 mm Hg taken on different days. His home blood pressure averages 138/86 mm Hg. According to current Canadian guidelines, what is the most appropriate next step?