The hypertension of president Franklin Roosevelt. The president as casualty of war.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the United States for four terms as president. He served during a period of unparalleled turmoil in American history. Roosevelt's blood pressure rose steadily as he presided over the Great Depression and much of World War II. He refused to decrease his workload, even as his health steadily declined. Roosevelt willingly and knowingly sacrificed his health, and, ultimately, his life fulfilling his desire to provide America with continuous and inspiring leadership. The medical community's understanding of hypertension was in its infancy during his presidency. Today, healthcare professionals understand the importance of the proper diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Dentists play a vital role in detecting hypertension in individuals and, when necessary, referring the patient to the proper medical professional for evaluation.