Ushering in a New Era of Hypertension Canada Guidelines: A Roadmap of What Lies Ahead
Hypertension is a global health problem with an estimated prevalence of 32% worldwide and increasing.1 In fact, hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality.2 In Canada, hypertension treatment and control rates, although historically high relative to that in other countries, have declined over recent years, particularly among women.3,4 The hypertension-attributable health care costs in Canada are steep; estimated at > CAD$20 billion in 2020.5 Improving the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension at the population level requires a multipronged approach including health policy changes, public health education, enhanced access to primary care, promotion of preventive health measures, and effective clinical practice guidelines to inform optimal care.
