brand logo

These key learning points summarize the consensus- and evidence-based recommendations included in this edition. The sources listed here for each statement recommend that physicians perform or implement these actions directly in a clinical setting.

  1. To reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), recommend that adults engage in at least 150 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 min/week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.

  2. Do not initiate daily low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of CVD in adults ages 60 and older. Consider use of daily low-dose aspirin only in adults ages 40 to 59 years with a 10% or higher 10-year CVD risk and a low risk of bleeding.

  3. For adults with diabetes, the A1C goal should be less than 7% if hypoglycemia can be avoided. A less stringent goal of less than 8% may be appropriate in patients with limited life expectancy or where the harms of treatment outweigh the benefits.

  4. For adults younger than 60 years, pharmacotherapy for hypertension should be initiated at a blood pressure (BP) of 140/90 mm Hg or greater. For adults 60 years and older, pharmacotherapy is recommended at a BP of 150/90 mm Hg or greater.

Resources

  1. Strength of Evidence: SORT B

    Source: American Heart Association, reference 40

  2. Website: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192703

  3. Strength of Evidence: SORT A

    Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, reference 93

  4. Website: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/aspirin-to-prevent-cardiovascular-disease-preventive-medication

  5. Strength of Evidence: SORT A

    Source: American Diabetes Association, reference 121

  6. Website: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/40/3/412/36975/Diabetic-Retinopathy-A-Position-Statement-by-the

  7. Strength of Evidence: SORT A

    Source: Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8), reference 122

  8. Website: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1791497

Already a subscriber?  Log In

Subscribe

From $350
  • Immediate, unlimited access to FP Essentials content
  • 60 CME credits/year
  • AAFP app access
  • Print delivery available
Subscribe

Edition Access

$44
  • Immediate, unlimited access to this edition's content
  • 5 CME credits
  • AAFP app access
  • Print delivery available
Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more  Learn More

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP.  See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.