Hypertension and Metabolic Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Abstract

The primary care physician plays a vital role as a core gate-keeper for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. About 90% of the adult population in developed countries have at least one consultation per annum with their primary health care physicians. The percentage is lower in developing countries. Few largescale studies have been undertaken at primary care level to provide sufficient information about the prevalence of the risk factors at this level. A number of clinical trials have demonstrated a reduction in cardiovascular events following effective reduction of high blood pressure (BP). Despite these findings, BP control rates in primary are settings remain suboptimal (< 50%). Hence the postponement of the goal set by the national centre for health statistics (USA) of 50% control of BP (systolic/ diastolic BP < 140/90 mmHg) by the year 2000 - 2010. There are risk factors predisposing a patient to develop hypertension; at the same time, hypertension is one of the risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this article, hypertension is discussed from both perspectives.