Current cardiology reports
-
In the past, hypertension has been defined as a systemic arterial blood pressure chronically exceeding certain levels. However, it is now apparent that there is no blood pressure threshold that separates those with increased cardiovascular risk from those with no or low risk. ⋯ Moreover, levels of blood pressure, a physical force, need to be evaluated in the context of other cardiovascular risk factors. This definition of hypertension will permit physicians to treat patients with the goal of reducing global risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.
-
Hypertension is one of the leading causes of death and disability in developing countries. The increasing burden of hypertension in these countries has been attributed to several indicators of economic progress such as increased life expectancy, urbanization and its attendant lifestyle changes, and the overall epidemiologic transition these countries are experiencing currently. ⋯ The health policies of these countries need to be reoriented to include chronic diseases in their ambit. These efforts have the potential to reduce the emergence or lessen the toll of hypertension and its complication in many parts of the developing world.