Approach to Hypertension: Diagnosis and Investigation

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic medical conditions and the single most important preventable cause of premature death in developed countries. It presents a significant burden of disease to society as persistent uncontrolled hypertension is associated with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and renal impairment. The prevalence of hypertension rises with age, affecting 60% of the population over the age of 60. Among young adults (18–39 years), approximately 20% of men and 15% of women have been diagnosed with hypertension in the USA. Forty-five percent of the adult population worldwide has hypertension, and recent estimates suggest that this number may increase by as much as 15–20% by 2025 (Kearney PM, Whelton M, Reynolds K, Muntner P, Whelton PK, He J, Lancet 365(9455):217–223, 2005).