Hypertension screening in adults
Summary of the 2021 recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Who it applies to
Adults aged 18 and older without known hypertension.
Recommendation
Screen for high blood pressure with office measurement (grade A). Before starting treatment, the diagnosis should be confirmed with measurements taken outside the clinical setting, such as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or home blood pressure monitoring.
How often
Screen every year for adults aged 40 and older and for younger adults at increased risk, such as those with high-normal blood pressure, overweight or obesity, or Black adults. Adults aged 18 to 39 with normal blood pressure and no other risk factors can be rescreened every 3 to 5 years.
Notes
Confirming with out-of-office readings helps avoid overdiagnosis from white coat hypertension.