CARDIOVASCULAR RISK MANAGEMENT In the Hypertensive Patient

CARDIOVASCULAR RISK MANAGEMENT In the Hypertensive Patient Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor. The treatment of the individual with hypertension is aimed to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. With such aim the management of hypertension goes beyond arterial pressure lowering and involves the treatment of thrombotic risk with antiplatelet therapy, treatment of hyperlipidemia with lifestyle measures and statins, and diabetes prevention with lifestyle measures. For the hypertensive patient with concomitant cardiovascular disease or diabetes, pharmacological treatment is consensual. However, in primary prevention the institution of drug therapy must be judicious to guarantee that benefit surpass costs.