The epidemiology of hypertension in South America.
Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in the majority of the countries in Latin America we have few data about regional differences on this topic. Developing countries have scarce epidemiological data on cardiovascular (CV) risk factor prevalence and subsequently in their control and treatment. The load of the CV risk factors, especially hypertension, remains uncertain. The methodology of investigation varies from country to country and the criteria to define 'hypertension' is different according to the survey year. Data on CVD from USA and Europe have been extrapolated to our continent but recently two large epidemiological studies have been conducted in the southern region: FRICAS, primary prevention, and PRESEA, secondary prevention. The first pointed out the importance of each cardiovascular risk factor, including hypertension, in the development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and the second showed the poor control of them and the necessity to improve them.
Pramparo
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Cordoba 2962 3G-(1187), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology