Primary prevention of high blood pressure

Raised blood pressure (BP) is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and the major risk factor for stroke. It is one of the most important underlying risk factors for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the world today, ranking above tobacco in estimates of the worldwide attributable burden of mortality. This chapter reviews the risks of premature mortality and increased morbidity associated with raised BP, and the risk factors that lead to raised BP in individuals and populations. It then addresses how this knowledge can inform preventive strategies to reduce the population burden of BPrelated diseases.