Approximately 65 million Americans have hypertension, but only one-third of them are adequately treated. Physicians need
to know that hypertension is a progressive cardiovascular syndrome that cannot be classified solely by discrete blood
pressure thresholds, and should be considered in the context of global CVD risk. Physicians also need to know that new
data strongly support the concept that anti-hypertensive combination therapy can provide superior blood pressure lowering
and more effectively reduce the consequences of hypertension. Since most hypertensive patients require multiple medications, physicians must understand which drug classes can be used in concert to provide optimal blood pressure and
CVD risk reduction, especially for patients requiring very stringent blood pressure reduction. In addition, for optimum blood
pressure control and CVD risk reduction, physicians must strive to increase patient adherence using simplified dosing
regimens, including fixed-dose combinations as a core element of a multifaceted patient management strategy.

Moderator

Keith Ferdinand, MD, FACC
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Emory University School of Medicine
Atlanta, GA
 

Faculty

Thomas D. Giles, MD
Professor of Medicine
Tulane University School of Medicine
New Orleans, LA
  P. Michael Ho, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology
University of Colorado at Denver
and Health Science Center
VA Eastern Colorado Health System
Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Denver, CO
  Suzanne Oparil, MD
Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Discuss the expanding definition of hypertension and its treatment
  • Describe previous recommendations of JNC VII guidelines for using combination therapy to meet blood pressure goals
  • Explain that definition of the disease, hypertension,
    should not be dependent on specific blood pressure levels, but on the state of the cardiovascular system
  • Explain the mechanisms of key antihypertensive drug classes
  • Describe key clinical data on existing drug combination products and those in late-stage clinical development
  • Outline specific improved patient outcomes and economic benefits resulting from improved patient adherence to medication regimens

TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity is intended for cardiologists and other health care professionals attending the AHA 2007 Annual Meeting.

CME CREDIT
The Potomac Center for Medical Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category I credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

DISCLOSURE
Potomac Center for Medical Education (PCME) adheres to the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous.

All faculty in a position to control the content of a continuing medical education program sponsored by the Potomac Center for Medical Education are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest.
All conflicts are identified and resolved by PCME in advance of delivery of the activity to learners. The content of this activity was vetted by an external medical reviewer to assure objectivity and that the activity is free of commercial bias.
 
ACCREDITATION
The Potomac Center for Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
SPECIAL SERVICES
Event staff will be glad to assist you with any special needs (e.g. physical, dietary, etc.). Please call 800-282-0022 at least five days prior to the program.