The treatment of mild to moderate hypertension

ABSTRACT

In clinical practice, the idea of treating hypertension should not be confined to lowering blood pressure alone. Hypertensive patients are often obese, diabetic, and sedentary. A 'global' perspective is therefore important. Such an approach will recognise the need to promote lifestyle modifications, including advice on a healthy diet, exercise, cessation of cigarette smoking, and reduction of alcohol intake. This article is not meant to be a treatise on hypertensive therapy - the aim is to highlight issues relevant to hypertension treatment in the Caribbean (AU)