HYPERTENSION CONTROL - HISTORIC PERSPECTIVES - 25 YEARS OF PROGRESS IN CANADA AND AROUND THE WORLD

Hypertension has been estimated to affect over 15% of the general popu lation in North America, and is a leading risk factor for coronary art ery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney disease, and ret inopathy. Since the early 70s there has been rapid development in the pharmacotherapy of hypertension and a concomitant effort to evaluate t he efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in controlling high b lood pressure. At the same time it has become obvious that hypertensio n is not only a clinical but also a public health problem. Twenty five years ago only half of hypertensive patients were aware of their cond ition, and only 16% of the total number were under satisfactory contro l. In the past two decades the proportion of treated patients with wel l-controlled hypertension increased to over 40%. Even today, however, one third are either unaware of their condition, or the reduction of b lood pressure in those treated is unsatisfactory. A continuing effort is warranted to improve the management of hypertensive patients and to develop innovative public health measures in controlling this conditi on at a community level.