Hypertension: Tackling challenges in the diagnosis and management of hypertension in 2012

摘要

Despite the availability of multiple pharmaco-therapies and the known preventative effects of lifestyle modification, hypertension remains a highly prevalent disorder worldwide. Indeed, high blood pressure (BP) is estimated to result in approximately half of the global burden of all cardiovascular disease (WHO. Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. WHO Press, Geneva, 2009). Because of the global impact of this disorder, and because of its modifiable nature, Nature Reviews Cardiology and the World Heart Federation are holding a joint session on 'Hypertension in 2012' at this year's World Congress of Cardiology in Dubai, UAE. The session will cover community-wide strategies for prevention of hypertension, BP measurement and targets, the latest advances in antihypertensive therapies, and management of hypertension in the elderly. Review articles that accompany two of the talks in this session (written by the commissioned speakers) are included in this focus issue of Nature Reviews Cardiology. An additional article that highlights the current challenges in management of this condition is also included.