Complications of hypertension as encountered by primary care physician

Abstract

Hypertension is a common clinical problem with great implications for public health. It is a silent killer and often remains asymptomatic. So regular BP check-up is a must. Complications of untreated hypertension include ventricular hypertrophy, heart failure and accelerated atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease and stroke, renal failure and retinopathy. Primary care physicians have immense duty to perform in this regard because they are the first to encounter them in various stages of the disease. Hypertension can present per se or in emergencies (as in crisis) or in disguise of a complication (like anaemia and renal failure). Control of hypertension and delaying the development of complications should be their first goal. Lastly, some hypertensives with complications may require referral to advanced centres.