Earn up to 1 AMA PRA Category I Credit™

Statement of Purpose:
Hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and the world as a whole. This disorder has been estimated to affect 50 million people in the United States and one billion throughout the world. It is also the most common primary diagnosis in the U.S., associated with 3,205,000 outpatient hospital encounters and 34,537,000 medical office visits in 2001. Despite established guidelines for the screening and management of hypertension, blood pressure levels remain below Healthy People 2010 targets, and 30% of people with hypertension are not aware they have the disorder.

The management of hypertension has evolved, particularly with the release of the JNC VII guidelines. Most importantly, uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension is one of the most serious co-morbid conditions that increase patients' risk of cardiovascular complications

• Given the increasing prevalence of hypertension and its role as a confounding co-morbidity for cardiovascular diseases, you will aggressively evaluate patients with hypertension assessing for other potential risk factors
• Understanding the importance of treating blood pressure to goal, you will implement treatment plans for hypertensive patients based on the JNC VII guidelines

Target Audience:

This activity was developed to provide the most pertinent information to family physicians, general practitioners, general internists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Along with all involved in the care of patients with hypertension.

Accreditation Statement:
Release Date: April 18, 2007
Valid for credit through April 18, 2008

ACCME: Antidote Education Company is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  Antidote designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category I Credit™.

Faculty & Disclosures:

Michael O. Fleming, MD, FAAFP - Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Comprehensive Care, LSU Health Science Center School of Medicine, Shreveport, LA; Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, LA; Senior Medical Director, Antidote Education Company, Dallas, TX

Dr. Fleming disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Paul D. Fenster, MD, FACC - Associate Professor, Medicine, University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ

Dr. Fenster's disclosed that he received hororaria from AstraZeneca, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and Schering-Plough.

Disclaimer: The EB CME credit awarded for this activity was based on practice recommendations that were the most current with the strongest level of evidence available at the time this activity was approved. Since clinical research is ongoing, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that learners verify sources and review these and other recommendations prior to implementation into practice.