Hypertension is high blood pressure. If untreated, it can lead to a heart attack, stroke, heart failure or kidney damage. Many people who develop hypertension do not get treatment. Over the years, the pharmaceutical industry has developed many medicines to treat hypertension. Further research aims to reduce the toll of the condition called the 'silent killer'.
Disease: Hypertension
Last update: June 2008
Intro
FAQ
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What is it?
Hypertension is high blood pressure. This is commonly defined as a maximum (systolic) pressure of greater than 140mm mercury (Hg) and/or a minimum (diastolic) pressure of 90mm Hg. If untreated, hypertension greatly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and kidney problems. -
Who gets it?
By the current definition, 40% of men and 33% of women have hypertension. In people over 65 years old, 45-50% of both men and women have hypertension but are not being treated for it. -
What can be done about it?
Over the years the pharmaceutical industry has developed a large number of different medicines for hypertension. These act in many different ways, from enlarging blood vessels, slowing the heart rate and relaxing blood vessel walls to blocking blood vessel constriction and acting on the brain. -
What does the future hold?
With over 40 agents currently in use, future research will seek to identify not only new treatments but the best combinations to use. The ultimate goal is to find ways of reducing the serious consequences of hypertension. This will involve organising and running clinical trials which may consist of thousands of patients.
An interesting approach is the development of a vaccine against a protein that normally causes blood vessels to constrict. Also being evaluated is a compound that restores the flexibility of arteries.