The development of Africa's first unified hypertension management guidelines

Abstract

Hypertension is a leading cardiovascular risk factor, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in Africa. The continent is plagued with a high incidence, coupled with low treatment and control rates. The causes are multifactorial, and among the major causes is an absence of standardized African guidelines for the management of hypertension. Systems of care vary across the continent, with low-income countries having less care than middle-income countries. International guidelines include recommendations for Black populations, but do not account for the cultural and sociodemographic situation of the African. There is therefore the need for African guidelines based on local data to improve the quality of hypertension care. These guidelines will cover the clinical approach to hypertension and its complications at facilities with physicians and nonphysician health workers (NPHW). It will also proffer suggestions for policies to improve the care for patients with hypertension on the continent.