-
Hypertension Update: Pharmacists Module 5, 2021
Raised blood pressure (BP) or hypertension remains a leading cause of death globally. It is the most common condition seen in primary care and leads to myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, heart failure, renal failure and death if not detected early and treated appropriately.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension. However, trends show a clear shift from high-income to low- and middle-income countries, with an estimated 349 million people with hypertension in high-income countries and 1.04 billion in low- and middle-income countries.
Despite the high prevalence, hypertension awareness, treatment and BP control are low worldwide, – particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Based on the most recent updates to the Hypertension guidelines, pharmacists will learn about the essential and optimal standards for measuring blood pressure as well as the risk factors and causes of primary and secondary hypertension.
Pharmacists will also be better informed to counsel patients on the recommended lifestyle modifications for the prevention and management of hypertension. This module covers both the essential and optimal approaches to the pharmacological treatment of hypertension, the antihypertensive medicines currently available in South Africa and their place in treatment.
