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Blood pressure and control of cardiovascular risk

Judith A Whitworth1

  • 1John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. director@jcsmr.anu.edu.au

Vascular Health and Risk Management
|February 27, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Early cardiovascular disease risk assessment incorrectly focused on diastolic pressure and defined hypertension discretely. Current understanding emphasizes continuous blood pressure risk and comprehensive prevention strategies beyond just treating hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Historically, diastolic pressure was considered primary for cardiovascular risk, and hypertension was viewed as a distinct condition.
  • These early 20th-century concepts have been revised with new scientific understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the shift in understanding cardiovascular disease risk factors.
  • To emphasize the move from a dichotomous view of blood pressure to a continuous risk model.
  • To advocate for comprehensive cardiovascular disease prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical and contemporary concepts in blood pressure management and cardiovascular risk.
  • Analysis of the evolution of hypertension definitions and risk classification.
  • Examination of the paradigm shift towards comprehensive cardiovascular disease prevention.

Main Results:

  • Systolic pressure is now recognized as the primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Hypertension is understood as an arbitrary definition, with risk being continuous across blood pressure levels.
  • A shift from single-factor to comprehensive risk prevention is evident.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular disease prevention requires lowering blood pressure and managing associated risk factors, not solely treating hypertension.
  • The understanding of blood pressure as a continuous risk factor is crucial for effective prevention.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO)-International Society of Hypertension (ISH) 2003 statement reflects this updated approach.

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