Will the new figures from the AHA/ACC guidelines on the definition and treatment of hypertension in Latin America have an impact?

Given the fact that new guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) propose important changes in the definition of hypertension, from equal or greater than 140/90 mmHg to equal or greater than 130/80 mmHg, major debate has been generated about the diagnostic criteria and the treatment of high blood pressure (HBP). In addition, these guidelines recommend that in order to achieve control of hypertension the goal should be a reading lower than 130/80 mmHg. These new figures will significantly increase the amount of individuals considered hypertensive, some of whom will need more medication to achieve the new goal. This paradigm has led to questioning the goal's clinical applicability given the enormous financial burden that would result from treating millions of new hypertensive patients. The academic validity of the AHA-ACC guidelines has also been questioned given the fact that the recommendations emerged basically from results obtained from a single study with important methodological differences compared to the majority of studies carried out previously. Furthermore, its outcomes are inconsistent with those of previous studies. This conflict has led to some scientific institutions, such as the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH), continuing to adhere to the previous recommendations.