Hypertension is a common condition, affecting about one quarter of all adults in the Western world and as such forms a major part of a general practitioner's workload. The condition has a high morbidity and mortality arising from the development of complications, such as heart failure, renal disease, and cerebral haemorrhage and therefore prevention and optimal management of the condition is a major priority for the primary health care team. Recent decades have seen a rapid proliferation of scientific research which has produced a range of effective antihypertensive therapies that have substantially improved the lives of people with hypertension, both in terms of enhanced quality of life and increased life-expectancy. These developments have also added to the increasing complexity of the management of hypertensive patients and many primary health care workers find it hard to keep up with the latest developments in the field.
This pocket book charts the progression of knowledge and understanding of the cardiovascular system that has led to the modern strategies for the effective management of hypertension and provides the user with a concise and accessible summary of current best practice.