Ella, age 64 presents to the clinic for blood pressure (BP) follow up. Her BP today is 138/88. You notice that she has consistently run in the high 130s systolic over high 80s diastolic for the past 1 year. She is a 30 pack year smoker and overweight. She was recently started on a statin medication for hyperlipidemia. Her atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk (ASCVD) is 12%. Best action to take at this time is: • Monitor BP and advise on lifestyle; she does not yet need medication therapy • Begin a first line antihypertensive agent such as an Ace- Inhibitor, thiazide diuretic or Calcium Channe Blocker • Initiate dual therapy with 2 anti-hypertensive agents Allow the statin medication to begin to work. This will lower her ASCVD risk.
