2024 Latin American Society of Hypertension guidelines on the management of arterial hypertension and related comorbidities in Latin America

Abstract

Hypertension is responsible for more than two million deaths due to cardiovascular disease annually in Latin America (LATAM), of which one million occurs before 70 years of age. Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, affecting between 20 and 40% of LATAM adults. Since the publication of the 2017 LASH hypertension guidelines, reports from different LATAM countries have confirmed the burden of hypertension on cardiovascular disease events and mortality in the region. Many studies in the region have reported and emphasized the dramatically insufficient blood pressure control. The extremely low rates of awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, particularly in patients with metabolic disorders, is a recognized severe problem in LATAM. Earlier implementation of antihypertensive interventions and management of all cardiovascular risk factors is the recognized best strategy to improve the natural history of cardiovascular disease in LATAM. The 2024 LASH guidelines have been developed by a large group of experts from internal medicine, cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, general medicine, geriatrics, pharmacology, and epidemiology of different countries of LATAM and Europe. A careful search for novel studies on hypertension and related diseases in LATAM, together with the new evidence that emerged since the 2017 LASH guidelines, support all statements and recommendations. This update aims to provide clear, concise, accessible, and useful recommendations for health professionals to improve awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors in the region.