Hypertension within the cardiovascular disease risk paradigm.

ABSTRACT

Hypertension remains a significant health issue not only for Americans but for the worldwide population. Elevated BP can not only be controlled but can be prevented, by addressing modifiable risk factors for CVD, including increased body weight, physical inactivity, poor dietary habits, alcohol consumption, and smoking. The challenge for the clinician is to reduce the global risk for CVD by preventing or at least delaying the onset ofmodifiable CVD risk factors, and, when pharmacologic intervention is warranted, managing hypertension aggressively in order to help patients achieve recommended BP goals.