Resumo

MENDOZA GONZALEZ, Celso. Guidelines of the National Institute of Cardiology " Ignacio Chávez" for the treatment of systemic arterial hypertension. Arch. Cardiol. Méx. [online]. 2006, vol.76, suppl.2, pp.279-284. ISSN 1665-1731.

The arterial hypertension in Mexico has a prevalence of 30 %, with some differences in the geographical distribution. Of this population two relevant aspects are outlined: the high prevalence of arterial hypertension in young people and the common association with other factors of cardiovascular risk. Associated with these facts, it is of be making notice that an important percentage of this people doesn't know the diagnosis, and that those who have this diagnosis established often does not receive treatment or, has an evil control of the value of the arterial tension them in spite of receiving pharmacological treatment. The guidelines for the treatment of the arterial hypertension in our country are based on anatomic characteristics proper of our population, and they are based in a process of risk stratification elaborated with the same characteristics. These guidelines are the recommendations for the initial treatment of the arterial hypertension but must be remembered the fundamental concept of the medicine that establishes that any treatment must be completely individualized.

Palavras-chave : Systemic arterial hypertension; Treatment guidelines; Cardiovascular risk.