HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT
SINGLE PILL COMBINATION FOR CHRONIC HYPERTENSION Better adherence and better control The global prevalence of chronic hypertension continues to rise. The main goals of treating hypertension are to ensure good blood pressure control and to prevent hypertension related adverse cardiovascular outcome. It is estimated that >60 per cent of hypertensive patients still have their blood pressure out of optimal control. The European Society of Cardiology guidelines have provided a strong recommendation to start anti -hypertensive medication with single pill combination as a measure to improve adherence and effective blood pressure control. Rami Riziq Yousef Abumuaileq, Consultant Cardiologist at Palestinian Medical Services; Associate Editor at BioMed Central; Associate Editor at European Heart Journal- Case Reports
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t is estimated that more than 1.4 billion people are suffering from chronic hypertension in the world (two-third of them are living in low- and middle-income countries). Hypertension is still the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide. No significant
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A SI A N H O S P I T A L & H EA LT HCA R E M A N AGE M E N T
improvement in the rates of hypertensive control has been observed over the last decade. Blood pressure control rates are as low as 17 per cent to 31 per cent in patients diagnosed with hypertension in high income countries, control rates are likely worse in low and middle income countries.
IS S UE - 53, 2021
High blood pressure is the leading global cause of premature death, being responsible for around 10 million deaths per year. Furthermore, the global prevalence of hypertension of at least 140 mmHg continues to rise. Hypertension also becomes progressively more common with advancing age, with a prevalence of higher than 60 per cent in people 60 years or older. Therefore, as the population ages, it is predicted that the impact of arterial hypertension will rise further, if management is not optimised. The “Build and Blood Pressure Study”, carried out on almost 5 million adults between 1934 and 1954, published in 1959, showed a strong direct relationship between high blood pressure and risk of clinical complications and death. In the 1960s, these findings were confirmed in a series of reports from the Framingham Heart Study. The first comprehensive guideline for detection, evaluation, and management of high
