Manual of Hypertension [antikvár]

t Preface i fe' Hypertension is a common condition that has adverse effects on a number of organ systems and contributes to many diseases. This makes hypertension of interest to physicians working in a variety of clinical fields, and is one of the many reasons that there has been such a large amount of research into the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Therefore, it is not surprising that hypertension has been the subject of numerous research papers and books published over the last few decades. The aim of the Manual of Hypertension is not to offer a comprehensive report on the multifold pathogenetic and pathophysiological data, hypotheses and theories on hypertension - although in many instances these have been fundamental in advancing knowledge of and forming current thinking on cardiac and vascular diseases. Readers requiring such information are referred to some excellent handbooks on hypertension published over the last few years. Rather, the editors of this Manual thought it useful to take a different approach to the subject. First, to provide the background essential to an understanding of how elevated blood pressure might originate, and why it represents a factor damaging to the cardiovascular system as a whole, and consequently to most organs of the body. Second, to focus on the practical diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of hypertension in a synthetic fashion with a uniform style. Although well known to the physician dealing with hypertensive patients on an everyday basis, he or she may find it useful to confront daily experience with accepted standards of practice in the management of a condition that: (i) presents with a wide range of clinical problems, and (ii) entails the often difficult choice between treatment options that vary in relation to factors as heterogeneous as therapeutic response and compliance, and the different types and magnitude of organ damage, cardiovascular risk factors, and associated non-cardiovascular or cardiovascular diseases. In this Manual, standard practice is outlined by well-known experts in clinical hypertension, who have endeavoured to make consultation as easy as possible. My fellow editors and I hope physicians will find it useful. Giuseppe Mancia, 2001 I ' J, :' y I ¦ ¦] XVII