The American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), and other organizations recently released updated blood pressure guidelines. Please be aware that ACSM Certification Board will adopt the new hypertension guidelines in 2018 and 2019 as follows:
ACSM-GEI: use the JNC 2003 hypertension guides until December 2, 2018. Beginning December 3, 2018, the ACSM-GEI exam will reflect the updated 2017 ACC/AHA thresholds for high blood pressure and related terminology (i.e., “elevated blood pressure”).
ACSM-CPT: use the JNC 2003 hypertension guides through Dec 31, 2018. Beginning January 1, 2019, the ACSM-CPT exam will reflect the 2017 ACC/AHA thresholds for high blood pressure and related terminology (i.e., “elevated blood pressure”).
ACSM-EP: use the JNC 2003 hypertension guides through Dec 31, 2018. Beginning January 1, 2019, the ACSM-EP exam will reflect the 2017 ACC/AHA thresholds for high blood pressure and related terminology (i.e., “elevated blood pressure”).
Clinical exercise physiologist: RCEP and CEP exams taken prior to October 31, 2018 will be based on JNC 2003 hypertension guidelines. Beginning December 3, 2018, the ACSM-CEP exam will reflect the 2017 ACC/AHA thresholds for high blood pressure and related terminology (i.e., “elevated blood pressure”).
| JNC (2003) | 2017 ACC/AHA thresholds |
| Normal: <120/<80 mm Hg | Normal: <120/<80 mm Hg |
| Prehypertension: 120-139/80-89 mm Hg | Elevated: 120-129/<80 mm Hg |
| Stage 1 hypertension: SBP between 140-159 mm Hg or DBP between 90-99 mm Hg | Stage 1 hypertension: SBP between 130-139 or DBP between 80-89 mm Hg |
| Stage 2 hypertension: SBP ≥160 or DBP ≥100 mm Hg | Stage 2 hypertension: SBP ≥140 or DBP ≥90 mm Hg |
