Measurement of adult blood pressure and management of hypertension before elective surgery | Association of Anaesthetists

Measurement of adult blood pressure and management of hypertension before elective surgery

Please note that these guidelines are currently under review and will be updated in due course

Summary

This guideline aims to ensure that patients admitted to hospital for elective surgery are known to have blood pressures below 160 mmHg systolic and 100 mmHg diastolic in primary care. The objective for primary care is to fulfil this criterion before referral to secondary care for elective surgery. These guidelines cover but are not limited to:

  • Blood pressure, hypertension and anaesthesia
  • Best practice: the diagnosis of hypertension
  • Best practice: the treatment of hypertension
  • The treatment of cardiovascular risk, not hypertension