Wanpen Vongpatanasin from UT Southwestern Medical Center: Measuring Blood Pressure Key in Hypertension Treatment

There have been several guidelines published in recent years about the proper blood pressure levels for patients with hypertension and how best to avoid the condition altogether. Weighing these guidelines in practice can be a challenge for physicians and patients alike.

Wanpen Vongpatanasin, MD, from UT Southwestern Medical Center discussed the current guidelines and what changes could be coming to the guidelines during the American College of Cardiolgy's annual meeting in Chicago. Vongpatanasin said that there are several factors that can contribute to a patient's blood pressure and that all of that needs to be considered when looking at the ideal ways to either lower the numbers or keep them at a low and healthy level for an extended period of time.