Blood pressure and control of cardiovascular risk

• Main Author: Judith A Whitworth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2005-10-01
• Series: Vascular Health and Risk Management
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/blood-pressure-and-control-of-cardiovascular-risk-peer-reviewed-article-VHRM

Judith A WhitworthJohn Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, AustraliaAbstract: Two key early 20th century notions, the first the primacy of diastolic pressure in determining risk, and the second that hypertension is a discrete disorder, have proved to be incorrect. We now recognize the primacy of systolic pressure as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that hypertension is an arbitrary definition. In the early 21st century, we are moving away from a dichotomous approach to risk classification, and away from notions of hypertension and normotension towards an appreciation that blood pressure-related risk is continuous. In parallel, there has been a paradigm shift from a single risk factor approach to comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk prevention. Accordingly, prevention of cardiovascular disease requires a focus on lowering of blood pressure and modification of associated risk factors rather than simply treatment of hypertension. This emphasis is reflected in the World Health Organization (WHO) – International Society of Hypertension (ISH) 2003 statement on management of hypertension.Keywords: blood pressure, hypertension, cardiovascular risk, treatment