ABSTRACT
Hypertension is common in older adults and is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Forty per cent of the adult population in the United Kingdom (UK) has hypertension, according to the British Hypertension Society, British Hypertension Society (BHS) IV and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines definition of hypertension. The management of hypertension does and should take place in general practice. Hypertension is under-diagnosed and under-treated. Hypertension is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for premature morbidity and mortality. Hypertension increases the risk of coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and dementia. Hypertension presents a major public health challenge in the UK. Hypertension in pregnancy should not be managed in the primary care sector but general practitioners should be vigilant about the problem. The practice can produce a register of patients with established hypertension. Hypertension should be diagnosed according to BHS guidelines.
