Asian management of hypertension: Current status, home blood pressure, and specific concerns in India.

Systemic hypertension and its related complications are the important contributing factors for major adverse cardiovascular events all over the world. Evidence from Asia and even from India reveals that both its incidence and prevalence are increasing even in young population both in urban and rural areas. The HOPE (Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention and Evidence) Asia network data clearly say that most of these hypertensive patients are undiagnosed and undertreated. Even among the treated patients, the regular follow-up visits and compliance of antihypertensive drug intake are not effective. The blood pressure variability (BPV) and the exaggerated morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) leading to high cardiovascular mortality and morbidity have been demonstrated in many studies. The role of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) to detect BPV and MBPS to treat hypertensive patients more effectively has been published by the HOPE Asia Network. This article is to review the evidence and literature from the Indian perspective and the role of HBPM for the effective control of hypertension in general population.