Highlights from 2024 Thai Guidelines on the Treatment of Hypertension by the Thai Hypertension Society and Intensive Blood Pressure Control to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in the Future

Abstract

Hypertension is a common condition in the Thai population, affecting up to 14 million people. Increases in blood pressure levels increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. Therefore, hypertension is a condition that is significant to the Thai public health system. As a result, the Thai Hypertension Society has consistently created guidelines for managing hypertension in clinical settings, with the most recent version being 2024, aimed at the early detection of high blood pressure. Diagnosed when blood pressure levels are >140/90 mmHg in general, including blood pressure in the risk group >130/80 mmHg, along with the identification of hypertension-mediated organ damage, Patients ought to be diagnosed with hypertension when it is determined that the blood pressure recorded at the hospital aligns with the standards for diagnosing hypertension from being examined more than once. To manage hypertension, it is advised to implement lifestyle modification and utilize the required medication. Taking two different types of drugs from each of the five main drug groups at the same time is generally recommended and use two types of drugs in one pill if possible. And establish suitable treatment objectives based on age and risk. In general, in the population of 18-64 years, blood pressure levels <130/80 mm Hg, etc., and there is new research data, there is a tendency to intensive blood pressure control, blood pressure levels <120/80 (120-129/70-79) mm Hg in groups with high risk of cardiovascular disease. This article introduces the 2024 Thai Guidelines for Hypertension Management that have been created by the Thai Hypertension Society. These guidelines gather the evidence pertaining to the impacts of hypertension treatment.