2017 Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension in primary health care in Portuguese-speaking countries

Publication date: Available online 29 November 2017 Source:Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia (English Edition) Author(s): Gláucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira, Miguel Mendes, Marcus Vinícius Bolívar Malachias, João Morais, Osni Moreira Filho, Armando Serra Coelho, Daniel Pires Capingana, Vanda Azevedo, Irenita Soares, Alda Menete, Beatriz Ferreira, Miryan Bandeira dos Prazeres Cassandra Soares, Mário Fernandes The World Health Organization goal's to reduce mortality due to chronic non-communicable diseases by 2% per year demands a huge effort from member countries. This challenge for health professionals requires global political action on implementation of social measures, with cost-effective population interventions to reduce chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. Systemic arterial hypertension is highly prevalent in Portuguese-speaking countries, and is a major risk factor for complications such as stroke, acute myocardial infarction and chronic kidney disease, rivaling dyslipidemia and obesity in importance for the development of atherosclerotic disease. Joint actions to implement primary prevention measures can reduce outcomes related to hypertensive disease, especially ischemic heart disease and stroke. It is essential to ensure the implementation of guidelines for the management of systemic hypertension via a continuous process involving educational actions, lifestyle changes and guaranteed access to pharmacological treatment.
Source: Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research