What is the primary concern when managing hypertension?

The primary concern when managing hypertension is the presence of high blood pressure itself, which is crucial to treat for optimal outcomes. Hypertension is associated with numerous serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney damage. By effectively managing high blood pressure, healthcare providers can significantly reduce these risks and improve the overall health and quality of life for patients.

While patient compliance with medication, monitoring dietary sodium intake, and the focus on diastolic blood pressure readings are important factors in the overall management of hypertension, they are secondary to the fundamental goal of reducing elevated blood pressure itself. It is imperative to address the high blood pressure first and foremost, as untreated hypertension can lead to serious complications and long-term health issues. Therefore, ensuring that blood pressure readings are brought down to a normal range is the primary target in hypertension management.