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Table 1 Differences between the two approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension.

From: Cost-effectiveness analysis of guidelines for antihypertensive care in Finland

Clinical practice according to the ACCG

Clinical practice prior to the publication of the ACCG

prevention

prevention

   systematic counselling on health-related lifestyle choices if SBP is 130–139 mmHg and/or DBP 85–89 mmHg

   a somewhat non-systematic approach

diagnosis

diagnosis

   - BP measurements performed according to guideline specifications

   - variations in BP measurement practices

   - calculation of CHD risk profiles

   - other CHD risk factors not fully incorporated

treatment

treatment

   provide lifestyle counselling and considered initiation of pharmacological therapies with a stepwise approach

   commonly pharmacological therapy, often without lifestyle counselling