European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Obesity: background, aims and perspectives.

摘要

Obesity and arterial hypertension frequently coexist. Indeed, obesity can cause or worsen arterial hypertension and is a common cause of resistance against antihyper-tensive treatment. Moreover, the associated risk profile differs markedly between lean and obese patients with arterial hypertension. Current guidelines do not provide specific recommendations for obese patients with arterial hypertension. This state of affairs results from the lack of data from clinical trials, an incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, and perhaps neglect by the scientific community. In spring 2006, we founded the Working Group on Obesity. The inaugural session of the Working Group on Obesity was held at the 16th European Society of Hypertension Meeting 2006 in Madrid. Our aim is to raise the awareness of obesity-associated arterial hypertension and to provide a platform for interested clinicians and scientists. We would like to foster clinical and scientific collaborations in European and extra-European countries.