Abstract:
Background: Hypertension is one of the leading vascular diseases defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) is ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is ≥90 mmHg. Cardiac output and peripheral resistance are the two determinants of arterial pressure , Cardiac output is determined by stroke volume and heart rate; stroke volume is related to myocardial contractility and to the size of the vascular compartment. Peripheral resistance is determined by functional and anatomic changes in small arteries. Hypertension poses global economic and social burden. Elevated blood pressure affects 1.33 billion individuals and causes an estimated 9.4 million deaths per year globally. Hypertension doubles the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD), congestive heart failure (CHF), ischemic heart diseases, hemorrhagic stroke, renal failure and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) [1]. Although hypertension is a preventable and modifiable risk factor of CVD, prevention and management is not still satisfactory in controlling blood pressure and preventing morbidity and mortality of patients. Levels of blood pressure control are lower in most developing countries like Ethiopia as many studies done in this country revealed. [2]