Because high blood pressure is the leading cause
of strokes and a major risk factor for heart attacks,
one of the most important aspects of preventive cardiology
should be to identify as many people who
have the disease as possible and to take steps to lower
the blood pressure before it causes damage to the
blood vessels, heart, kidneys, eyes, and other organs.
Fortunately, the last 30 to 35 years have seen remarkable
advances in the treatment of high blood
pressure, with major payoffs. The death toll from
strokes is down by more than 54 percent and heart
attack mortality has dropped by more than 45 percent
since 1973–74. At that time, the National High Blood
Pressure Education Program directed at both physicians
and the general public raised consciousness
about the dangers of untreated high blood pressure
and the importance of early effective treatment. We
are now reaping the benefits of this and other major
programs.