New Hypertension Guidelines Offer Practical, Clinical Information for Doctors and Patients Around the Globe

NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- High blood pressure affects approximately one in three adults in the Americas, Europe, some Asian countries and Australia, and one billion people worldwide. Because of this epidemic, The American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH) and the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) are pleased to announce the creation of first-of-their-kind guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Hypertension: "Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension in the Community." These are the first guidelines to be usable for medical practitioners in any socioeconomic environment around the globe, from those countries with state-of-the-art equipment to those that lack basic resources.  And, most importantly, they are designed with guidance that is easy to implement for doctors and healthcare professionals in even the most impoverished areas.

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The guidelines were first published on December 17 by The Journal of Clinical Hypertension in the U.S. and the Journal of Hypertension in Europe. They will also appear in medical journals across Latin America and have been endorsed by the Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension. The guidelines have already been translated to French, Spanish and Creole, and there are plans to continue translations for populations across the globe.

"These guidelines have been written to provide a straightforward approach to managing hypertension in the community. We are so proud to have created a set of guidelines that can help not only doctors but also patients understand their disease and the care they receive," says Dr. Michael A. Weber, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, former ASH President and current ISH Council member.

"Within the International Society of Hypertension we wanted to create Guidelines for management of hypertension for practitioners, which would provide easy to follow recommendations that were evidence-based and could be carried out in countries that have healthcare systems with either limited or with abundant resources, and above all, that were simple and user-friendly, contributing thus to the control of this highly prevalent condition. Indeed, hypertension is the number one cause of burden of disease worldwide," says Dr. Ernesto L. Schiffrin, President of ISH.

Hypertension is the most common chronic condition dealt with by primary care physicians and other healthcare practitioners. There is also a close relationship between blood pressure levels and the risk of cardiovascular events, strokes and kidney disease.

"With the development and dissemination of treatment guidelines that are designed to educate medical practitioners, doctors in training and other health care providers, ASH is furthering its commitment to our mission through initiatives that aim to improve the clinical management of hypertension and its complications," says Dr. William B. White, professor of medicine and current President of ASH.

The guidelines' 25 authors include top hypertension specialists and pharmacists from around the world, including past and present officers of the American Society of Hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension.

"Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension in the Community" can be accessed in full through ash-us.org and ish-world.com, as well as the Journal of Clinical Hypertension at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jch and the Journal of Hypertension at journals.lww.com/jhypertension.

About the American Society of Hypertension, Inc.

The American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH) is the largest U.S. professional organization of scientific investigators and healthcare professionals committed to eliminating hypertension and its consequences. ASH is dedicated to promoting strategies to prevent hypertension and to improving the care of patients with hypertension and associated disorders. The specific focus of the Society is to translate current research findings on hypertension into effective treatment strategies, in order to better address the needs of hypertensive patients. For more information, please visit www.ash-us.org.

About the International Society of Hypertension

The International Society of Hypertension (ISH) is the world's premier Society dedicated to research, education and clinical excellence in blood pressure and related cardiovascular disease. A special focus is given by the Society to new investigator initiatives and teaching activities in economically disadvantaged countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Educational and teaching initiatives are lead by the ISH Regional Advisory Groups (RAGs) and in conjunction with national societies and other organisations that represent blood pressure interests worldwide. The ISH recognises that to counter the hypertension epidemic it takes the brightest minds, the best research and effective education and implementation. This goal underpins the activities and strategic alliances of the ISH. For more information, please visit www.ish-world.com.

About Wiley
Wiley is a global provider of content-enabled solutions that improve outcomes in research, education, and professional practice. Our core businesses produce scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, reference works, books, database services, and advertising; professional books, subscription products, certification and training services and online applications; and education content and services including integrated online teaching and learning resources for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE: JWa, JWb), has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's website can be accessed at www.wiley.com. For more information, please contact [email protected].

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SOURCE American Society of Hypertension, Inc.