The 2001 Canadian hypertension recommendations: What's new and what's not so new but is still important

This summary of the 2001 Canadian hypertension recommendations, developed by the Canadian Hypertension Recommendations Working Group, is being submitted to a broad range of journals, including CJHP. The aim is to disseminate the recommendations to as many Canadian health care professionals as possible, to help ensure that patients receive consistent, up-to-date information and optimum care. Pharmacists are closely involved in hypertension therapy and have participated in the development of these recommendations. One pharmacist serves on the steering committee for the recommendations themselves (Seema Nagpal) and two have served on the steering committee for implementation (Seema Nagpal and Carol Repchinsky). The recommendations are updated yearly, and a new summary should be available early in 2003. The members of the Canadian Hypertension Recommendations Working Group and its subgroups are listed at the end of this article.