Hints : Management of hypertension in Africa

ABSTRACT

Guidelines for management of hypertension continually change as research findings shed more insight into the disease process and as new classes of anti-hypertensive agents are developed. In 1993; three bodies issued revised guidelines. However; since management of hypertension depends on a number of factors including demographic and socio-economic realities; what is prescribed in developed countries may not be applicable in Africa. The need for African experts treating patients with hypertension to establish a consensus committee on hypertension to develop appropriate guidelines is urgent. The hints in this paper are an attempt to interpret the available facts on the management of hypertension in a manner that reflects the realities in Africa