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Hypertension
Is a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease
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Our understanding of hypertension as a
disease process is highlighted by epidemiologic studies that demonstrate that
individuals with elevated BP have an increased risk of developing
cardiovascular disease. This slide presents prospective, longitudinal analysis
of 36-year data from the Framingham Heart Study, showing that hypertensive
men or women have two- to four-times the risk of developing coronary artery
disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or congestive heart failure
than normotensive men or women.6
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The goal in treating hypertension is thus a
reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease. In order to assess our
success in treating hypertensive patients, we have to determine the impact of
our treatment on the incidence of cardiovascular disease in hypertensive
patients.
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6 Kannel WB. Blood pressure as a
cardiovascular risk factor. JAMA 1996;275:1571-1576.
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