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Hypertension is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke, leading causes of morbidity and mortality in North America. Concern has been raised that there is inadequate outpatient detection, evaluation, and treatment of hypertension, and that this is resulting in increased hospital admissions with complications of untreated hypertension: heart failure, and end-stage renal disease
Based on estimates of lifetime risk of developing hypertension among participants in the Framingham Heart Study, we can expect a large increase in the prevalence of hypertension as the population ages
The causes of hypertension and reasons for poor control are multifactorial, including lifestyle choices, culture, and physician awareness. The goal of improving physician awareness and office-based practice in the management of hypertension is to complement public health activities in promoting low-sodium food choices and physical activity, improving patient awareness, and, we hope, compliance with measures to decrease the burden of illness. In this article, the authors review the evidence behind the current definitions of hypertension, and review supporting measures encouraging lifestyle modification and pharmacologic interventions.
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Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice
By: Denise L. Campbell-Scherer MD, PhD, Lee A. Green MD, MPH © 2005 ELSEVIER Inc. All Rights Reserved |
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