According to an editorial, the publication of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline generated significant controversy around the world, particularly because of the novel definition of hypertension, which established that individuals have elevated BP if their systolic BP is 120–129 mmHg, that they are hypertensive (stage 1) if their BP is ≥130/80 mmHg, and that they have stage 2 hypertension if their BP is ≥140/90 mmHg. Inevitably, the new definition of hypertension results in an increased prevalence of hypertension. It notes that this study underlines the difficulties in achieving the new goals proposed in these guidelines, as well as other guidelines, in which intensified treatment is recommended, while at the same time drawing attention to serious adverse events of treatment, including the potential for depressive mood disorders in treated individuals. It also stresses the need for adequate implementation of hypertension management recommendations if these intensified goals are to be reached in the patients that qualify for treatment intensification due to their enhanced cardiovascular risk.