Hypertension The Seventh Joint National Committee defined hypertension as SBP >140 mmHg and DBP >90 mmHg.219 The most recent panel appointed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to review hypertension management guidelines was silent on the issue of defining hypertension but chose instead to focus on defining BP thresholds for initiating or modify- Hypertension is a major risk factor for both cerebral infarction and ICH. The relationship between BP and stroke risk is strong, continuous, graded, consistent, indepen- dent, predictive, and etiologically significant.221 Throughout the usual range of BPs, including the nonhypertensive range, the higher the BP is, the greater the risk of stroke.222 The prevalence of hypertension has plateaued over the past decade. On the basis of national survey data from 1999 Meschia et al Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Stroke 3765 to 2000 and 2007 to 2008, the prevalence of hypertension in the United States remained stable at 29%.223,224 Hypertension control has also improved over the past 25 years, with control rates of 27.3% measured in 1988 to 1994 and 50.1% measured in 2007 to 2008. The improved control is likely attributable to heightened awareness and treatment. Awareness of hyperten- sion among US residents significantly increased from 69% in from 54% to 73% over the same period. Despite the improve- ments, however, rates of control were lower among Hispanics compared with whites and among those 18 to 39 years of age compared with older individuals. 