Growth of Hypertension Poses Challenges In Training And Research

Newswise — A looming shortage of specialists, and the need for research focusing on prevention as well as treatment, are two of the most important challenges in managing an inexorable growth in the incidence of hypertension, according to two dozen experts who attended the Seventh Annual Winter Conference of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH).

The day-long January 13th meeting in Coconut Grove, Florida was convened by ASH president Thomas D. Giles, MD, professor of medicine at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, as a forum to address "The Future of Hypertension Training and Research in Academic Medicine." It was attended by twenty four of the nation's foremost experts in hypertension, representing eighteen schools of medicine and academic medical centers, two government institutions devoted to healthcare research, and two of the nation's leading pharmaceutical companies.

"Everyone in attendance agreed that a national shortage of physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals is clearly on the horizon," said Dr. Giles, "And since hypertension is the number one reason that patients visit a physician's office, there will be a definite shortage of qualified individuals to provide the necessary care for patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular and renal risk factors."

To meet future needs, said Dr. Giles, conference participants saw a clear need for an increased emphasis on hypertension in the nation's medical schools. "For a medical condition that is so prevalent and associated with so much morbidity and mortality, the amount of time currently devoted to teaching about hypertension is inadequate," Dr. Giles said.

There also was consensus on the need for ongoing concentration on hypertension by researchers. "Conference participants expressed the belief that both the National Institutes of Health and the pharmaceutical industry need to continue focusing on an enhanced understanding of the mechanisms of increased blood pressure and in identifying strategies to prevent hypertension, as well as to more effectively manage those patients who already have the condition," Dr. Giles said.

With the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimating that nearly one in three Americans has high blood pressure, Dr. Giles said that there is an urgent need to increase awareness among medical school faculty and administration about current deficiencies in hypertension training; to educate legislators and third-party payors that additional resources are needed for reimbursing physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals for hypertension diagnosis, treatment and prevention; and to encourage the National Institutes of Health and the pharmaceutical industry to support both basic science and clinical research in hypertension, particularly for young investigators.

About the American Society of Hypertension

The American Society of Hypertension (ASH) is the largest U.S. organization devoted exclusively to hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. ASH is committed to alerting physicians, allied health professionals and the public about new medical options, facts, research findings and treatment choices designed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. For more information, please visit http://www.ash-us.org.