Recommendations in this document are based on published studies and the multidisciplinary expertise of the writing group and harmonized with published practice guidelines from the and other organizations.7,13 15 Hypertension and HF Hypertension is a worldwide epidemic; in many countries, 50% of the population >60 years of age has hypertension. Hypertension is defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure (BP) exceeding 140/90 mmHg. The prevalence of hypertension is steadily increasing, even with the expanded use of antihypertensive medications.16 It is widely recognized that hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality independently of other risk factors.14,17 Specific HF mortality attributable to hypertension is probably underreported because of the competing adjudication for stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) at the end of the spectrum of hypertensive cardiovascular death. 