Guidelines for the management of hypertension at primary health care level. Hypertension Society of Southern Africa, endorsed by the Medical Association of South Africa and the Medical Research Council.
OBJECTIVE
To outline rational and cost-effective comprehensive management of hypertension by health care professionals in a primary care setting.


RESULTS
Control of hypertension with a target blood pressure (BP) of systolic 140 - 159 mmHg, diastolic 90 - 94 mmHg, with minimal or no drug side-effects. Reduce BP in the elderly and those with severe hypertension gradually. Stricter BP control is required for patients with end-organ damage, coexisting risk factors, diabetes mellitus. Extensive data including many randomised controlled trials showed the benefit of controlling hypertension. This evidence is reported in Opie L. H. and Steyn K., Rationale for the hypertension guidelines for primary care in South Africa, S Afr Med J 1995; 85: 1325-1338.


METHODS
To treat as many of the untreated hypertensive patients as possible, using rational and cost-effective care. Cost-effectiveness and access to therapy are major issues.


RESULTS
Reduction in stroke, cardiac failure, renal failure and coronary artery disease. The major precautions and contraindications to each antihypertensive drug recommended are listed. The financial costs of the drugs are considered.


CONCLUSIONS
Correct BP measurement procedure. identification of blood pressure levels for appropriate management. Evaluation of other cardiovascular risk factors and their influence on when to treat hypertension. Lifestyle modification and patient education for all patients. Drug therapy: first line--low-dose diuretics; second line--reserpine or beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors or calcium channel blockers; third line--hydralazine or prazosin or another second-line drug. Drug treatment and referral or specific cases (pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, severe hypertension).


RESULTS
Developed by the Hypertension Society of Southern Africa Executive Committee and co-opted persons during 1995, with added input from HSSA members at the National Congress. Endorsed by the Medical Association of South Africa.
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D000075202:Contraindications; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents