Hypertension is very prevalent in South Dakota affecting approximately one-third of the adult population. Management and treatment of the disease has recently been the subject of considerable debate centered on what should be the blood pressure goal depending on the patient's age and co-morbid conditions. Recently, a randomized trial of intensive versus standard blood pressure control indicated that a systolic blood pressure of less than 120 mmHg in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events but without diabetes, resulted in significantly lower rates of non-fatal major cardiovascular events and death from any cause. Several studies have also looked at goals for hypertensive patients with diabetes. This article will review some of these recent studies and controversies associated with them. Medication and non-medication recommendations for control of blood pressure will also be discussed.
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