ABSTRACT
The World Health Organization has ranked hypertension as the most important cause of death worldwide. Good hypertension management makes an important difference to the health of the individual, and a well-organised hypertension clinic reduces cardiovascular disease in the population. There is a graded independent relationship between systolic and diastolic pressure with heart failure, peripheral artery disease and end-stage renal disease. The vast majority of patients with hypertension are diagnosed, treated and monitored within primary care. Hypertension-induced kidney damage is shown by reduced renal function and/or increased excretion of albumin. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is calculated using the patient's age, gender, race and serum creatinine concentration. Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and/or angiotensin II receptor antagonists are recommended for treating hypertension in patients with metabolic syndrome. The most common cause of hypertension is 'essential hypertension', which accounts for at least 94" of cases. Renal parenchymal disease is the most common cause of secondary hypertension.
