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Systemic hypertension and coronary artery disease
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Insights
Hypertension affects 60 million Americans, often co-occurring with coronary artery disease (CAD). Both conditions increase with age, posing a significant concern for clinicians due to rising elderly populations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hypertension affects an estimated 60 million individuals in the United States.
- Prevalence estimates for hypertension vary based on diagnostic criteria (e.g., >140/90 mm Hg vs. >130/90 mm Hg per JNC VI).
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) frequently coexists with hypertension; in studies of over 5,000 CAD patients, half had hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence and population trends of coronary artery disease and hypertension.
- To explore the pathogenic mechanisms linking hypertension and CAD.
- To present results from current outcome trials concerning these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on hypertension and CAD prevalence.
- Analysis of risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms.
- Synthesis of findings from clinical outcome trials.
Main Results:
- Hypertension is a significant risk factor for CAD.
- The incidence of both hypertension and CAD increases with age.
- Projections indicate a doubling in the prevalence of both conditions in the next century due to an aging population.
Conclusions:
- The rising prevalence of hypertension and CAD, particularly in the elderly, is a critical issue for healthcare providers.
- Understanding the interplay between these conditions is vital for effective clinical management.
- Further research and outcome trials are essential for addressing these growing public health challenges.
Abstract:
In the United States alone, it is estimated that 60 million people have hypertension, the estimate varying according to whether hypertension is defined as a blood pressure of >140/90 mm Hg or, as has emerged from the Sixth Joint National Commission on Hypertension (JNC VI) consensus conference, of >130/90 mm Hg. Coronary artery disease frequently accompanies hypertension. In our studies of >5,000 patients with coronary artery disease, half had hypertension. The reasons are numerous. Hypertension is a major risk factor for CAD. The incidence of both conditions increases with age, so that the majority of individuals >65 years of age with coronary artery disease probably also have hypertension. Some authorities predict that, due to the increasing size of the elderly population, there will be a doubling in the prevalence of both coronary artery disease and hypertension in the next century. This is of vital concern to all clinicians. This article reviews some of the prevalence and population trends in coronary artery disease and hypertension, and some of the pathogenic mechanisms involved, as well the results of some current outcome trials.