Hypertension and end-stage renal disease in the developing world

Hypertension is an important primary etiology of end-stage renal disease as well as a major factor responsible for progression of renal disease due to other causes. Multiple genetic and environmental factors are responsible for the variable prevalence of hypertension in various parts of the world. Although the frequency of hypertension awareness and control is very modest in the developing world, nephroangiosclerosis seems to be more common in the developed countries. Factors responsible for this discrepancy as well as various strategic measures to control hypertension and its impact on renal disease are discussed.