Hypertension studies in developing countries.

Developing countries vary considerably with respect to the behaviour of the blood pressure among its populations. In many countries hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder; but communities also exist within many of these countries that do not manifest hypertension. Some of the characteristics of such communities include primitive social structures and low dietary salt intake. Some special features of hypertension among African populations and persons of African descent may be related to fundamental differences in cellular handling of cations. Difficulties with hypertension control in developing countries are largely economic. The next decade should attempt to ascertain whether observed variations in hypertension prevalence might provide the key to the pathogenesis of high blood pressure and whether primary prevention might resolve the difficulties the developing world encounters in instituting hypertension control.