Essential Hypertension: The General Practitioner's Approach in an Urban Community

Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disease affecting about 20% of the adult population in many countries. The prevalence of hypertension has been shown to be about 20% in white population but much higher in blacks. Various reasons have been adduced for this difference ranging from climatic factors the hot arid climate compelling blacks to conserve sodium for survival, to dietary – blacks consuming less potassium which theoretically makes them susceptible to hypertension. The morbidity of hypertension includes its effects on the central nervous system, the cardiovascular and renal systems and the retinae. These effects are more consistently and more frequently encountered in inadequately managed hypertensives. These morbid events have been observed more frequently in our community especially amongst hypertensives. In search for a possible explanation for this observation, the management of hypertension by the general practitioner in the Aba Community was reviewed. Jnl of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol.1 2000: 14-1