Arterial hypertension is a phenomenon of considerable concern to all physicians. This symposium issue of theArchives, edited by Dr. Jay Cohn, is designed to review some of the fundamental issues concerning a significant elevation in blood pressure.
The National Heart and Lung Institute, under Dr. Theodore Cooper's guidance, has pursued a very comprehensive and thorough national program in the education of both the lay and physician population regarding what is known and what is not known about arterial hypertension. The key issue that the national program has focused on is that successful treatment of hypertension can be accomplished and that when one is successful at maintaining blood pressure at a more normal level there is considerable gain in reducing the number of morbid events that the hypertensive population experiences.
It is clear that there are not many medically modifiable cardiovascular disorders. However, arterial hypertension is such an entity, and, therefore, it is incumbent upon the profession to ensure adequate evaluation of all patients and to pursue an aggressive treatment program in as thorough a manner as possible. This symposium issue is designed to underscore that effort.—Ed.