IMPACT AND INTERPRETATION OF MULTIPLE GUIDELINES AND CONSENSUS DOCUMENTS

The US National Nigh Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) was est ablished in 1972, shortly after publication of the initial landmark re ports of the Veterans Administration Cooperative study reports demonst rating safety and efficacy in reducing abnormally elevated arterial pr essure with antihypertensive drugs.(1,2) Over the ensuing 23 years, th is program was responsible for the formulation of periodic guidelines on the general approach to the patient with hypertension as well as on a number of more specific considerations by more specialized working groups that deal with other concerns relative to the diagnosis, treatm ent and other aspects of hypertensive cardiovascular disease.