Chicago—Some researchers are saying that many physicians have been too lax in treating their hypertensive patients, accepting an insufficient reduction in blood pressure.
Speaking at a late summer press conference sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp in conjunction with the 18th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension, George Bakris, MD, said recent research shows a need for aggressive treatment of hypertension.
He said too many physicians help their patients achieve lower blood pressure and then say, "Oh, it's better than you were, so let's leave it alone." "It's an attitude that needs to change," said Bakris, who is vice chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Rush Presbyterian–St Luke's Medical Center in Chicago.
RECENT ENDORSEMENT
The aggressive approach has just been endorsed by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) with regard to patients with diabetes. In the September edition of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases. . . [Full Text of this Article]
