Management of Systemic and Pulmonary Hypertension

Systemic hypertension is a very frequent condition in developed countries and therefore constitutes a common problem in the perioperative period. In the Unites States nearly 29% of adults in 1999 and 2000 were affected by hypertension (age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension): 30% of hypertensive individuals are not aware of their diagnosis, 59% are being treated for hypertension, and only 34% have a blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg [1, 2].