Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

The main goal of treating hypertension is to reduce blood pressure to physiological levels and thereby prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension-associated target organ damage. Despite reductions in major risk factors and the availability of a plethora of effective antihypertensive drugs, the control of blood pressure to target values is still poor due to multiple factors including apparent drug resistance and lack of adherence. An explanation for this problem is related to the current reductionist and ‘trial-and-error’ approach in the manage-ment of hypertension, as we may oversimplify the complex nature of the disease and not pay enough attention to the heterogeneity of the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of the disorder. Taking into account specific risk factors, genetic phenotype, pharmacokinetic characteristics, chronobiology and other particular features unique to each patient, would allow a personalized approach for managing the disease. In addition, nutritional status of the individual patient is also crucial in the personalized approach to hypertension.

Keywords: Blood pressure, nutritional factors, diet, physical activity, drug therapy