An integrated view of hypertension.

Hypertension increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality two to four-fold. The chief hazards are now atherosclerosis and coronary disease. The risk is proportional to the degree of systolic or diastolic blood pressure elevation at any age, in either sex. More than the character of the blood pressure elevation, commonly associated risk factors markedly influence the hazard. The risk of coronary heart disease is concentrated in hypertensives with a high total/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio, impaired glucose tolerance, high fibrinogen, those with ECG abnormalities and cigarette smokers. Evidence of organ involvement such as left ventricular hypertrophy, proteinuria or impaired left ventricular function are hallmarks of impending cardiovascular sequelae. The presence of ECG-LVH behaves like myocardial infarction in its clinical course, predisposing at the same rate to sudden death, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure and stroke. Consideration of all cardiovascular risk factors is required to evaluate properly the need for treatment, select the best treatment, and set goals and determine the efficacy of treatment. Waiting until there is evidence of organ involvement is dangerous since the first such evidence is often sudden death, a stroke or a myocardial infarction. Optimal treatment must improve the composite risk profile as well as lower the blood pressure. This can be achieved by hygienic (dietary) measures or pharmacological therapy in those who do not respond to diet alteration, weight control and exercise.