The Management of Hypertension [antikvár]

Foreword The concept of the Handbook of Hypertension developed in the late 1970s from a widespread feeling that the diversity of interests and inputs into hypertension research no longer lent themselves to publication in a single textbook. Moreover, it became apparent that some areas change and expand at a faster rate than others, thus necessitating different policies of revision and updating. Hence we preferred the option of a serial Handbook, with each volume covering separate topics. The choice of topics in the series has resulted from lengthy discussions with many colleagues in clinical and basic science. Like the present volume on The Management of Hypertension, each volume is intended to be complete in its own right, and not dependent on other volumes in the series. We have accepted some degree of overlap between volumes, since this is unavoidable and, in our view, even desirable in such a broad field. In accordance with the basic concept sketched above, those volumes devoted to the most rapidly changing areas of interest have been or will be revised and updated. This policy is reflected in the titles currently in preparation: Volume 14. Clinical Aspects of Hypertension - revised and updated version of Volumes 1 and 2 (Editor: J.I.S. Robertson) Volume 15. Blood Pressure Measurement (Editors: E. O'Brien and K. O'Malley) Volume 16. Experimental and Genetic Models of Hypertension - revised and updated version of Volume 4 (Editors: W. De Jong and D. Ganten) The terminology used in the Handbook is oriented to the American style of spelling. Standardization has been adapted as far as possible to the recommendations issued by the World Health Organization. This applies to both units and drug names. The 'Systeme International d'Unités' (SI) as worked out by the intergovernmental 'Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures' (CGPM) has been applied consistently, but with one notable exception: for blood pressure we have retained the millimeter of mercury (mmHg) in accordance with the recommendation of the International Society of Hypertension. This unit obviously falls short of the SI concept, as has been proven during the past decade. In the same vein, the index of 'International Nonproprietary Names (INN) for Pharmaceutical Substances' has been followed as closely as possible, though with some exceptions. Starting with the next volume the Vancouver style of referencing will be adopted. Many aspects of hypertension research are controversial and it is unlikely that consensus, even if it were desirable, will be achieved in all areas. 'The Management of Hypertension' is a particularly controversial topic. The Editors of the present volume have contributed a great deal to hypertension research over many years: they have also contributed to and continue to generate controversy. This book, like the others in the series, reflects the views and prejudices of the Volume Editors and individual authors. Our role has been limited to planning and overall coordination.