What's New and What Gaps in 2013 European Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension: A Reappraisal
Pietro Scicchitano
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Cardiovascular Diseases Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11–70124, Bari, Italy
Michele Gesualdo
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Cardiovascular Diseases Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11–70124, Bari, Italy
Santa Carbonara
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Cardiovascular Diseases Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11–70124, Bari, Italy
Pasquale Palmiero
Department of Cardiology, Local Health Service-Brindisi, Italy
Pietro Nazzaro
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, Division of Neurology-Stroke Unit, Hypertension, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Annapaola Zito
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Cardiovascular Diseases Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11–70124, Bari, Italy
Gabriella Ricci
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Cardiovascular Diseases Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11–70124, Bari, Italy
Luisa de Gennaro
Department of Cardiovascular Disease, “San Paolo” Hospital, Bari, Italy
Pasquale Caldarola
Department of Cardiovascular Disease, “San Paolo” Hospital, Bari, Italy
Francesca Cortese
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Cardiovascular Diseases Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11–70124, Bari, Italy
Marco Matteo Ciccone *
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Cardiovascular Diseases Section, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11–70124, Bari, Italy
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Arterial hypertension is the most common cardiovascular risk factor causing over 9 million deaths worldwide. Its treatment is crucial in preventing adverse outcomes, in reducing morbidity and mortality and related socio-economic impact of cardiovascular diseases. The European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Hypertension recently published the new guidelines for the management of hypertension in order to provide physicians diagnostic and therapeutic tools and indications for improving health outcomes. Despite the new advances proposed by the authors, gaps in evidences still persist. The aim of our paper is to give an overview about the new aspects proposed in the arterial hypertension management and the dark side of the knowledge still persisting about such a matter.
Keywords: Arterial hypertension, hypertension management, gaps in evidence, guidelines