Hypertension

Hypertension is a major condition of contemporary Western society and, like other volumes in this series, this book attempts a broad overview of the clinical condition and its epidemiological perspectives.

The early chapters of the book examine the nature of hypertension, how it has now become a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and how its incidence is correlated with factors such as race, geography, socio-economic status and sex.

Aetiology - primary, secondary, benign and accelerated - is then reviewed, and the roles of dietary salt and neurogenic factors are assessed.

In Chapter 6 the natural history of the condition is reviewed, showing how complications such as stroke and coronary heart disease can result.

In Chapter 7, modes of presentation, referral, methodology in measurement and decision to treat are discussed.

The remainder of the book then considers management, prognosis and future trends.

This book should be of interest to clinicians and epidemiologists.