Hypertension —Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

We greatly appreciate the privilege and challenge of serving as stewards of Hypertension for the next 5 years. Serving the journal is a privilege because Hypertension , since its inception, has been the premier journal in its field. At the same time, we face the challenge of increasing competition from other cardiovascular and hypertension journals, and we must rapidly adapt to the growing movement toward electronic publishing. The fact that Hypertension serves a broad readership with diverse research and clinical interests is a challenge and an opportunity. Although it is unlikely that we will please everyone, we keep such a goal in mind. Our intention is to publish in Hypertension original research papers, reviews, and special articles of such high caliber that they will receive the highest approval of those most competent to judge them. Hypertension was born in 1979 under the pioneering editorship of Harriet Dustan and her associate editors, Suzanne Oparil and Henry Overbeck, who clearly articulated the guiding principles of the journal:1 “Its editors are committed to developing a journal of high quality that is broadly based and covers all aspects of the field, not just a part of it—a journal that explores new areas, not just those that are already accepted as important. The field of hypertension is multidisciplinary, and the journal will serve a purpose only if it provides bridges among the many disciplines. It must stimulate thought and air scientific controversies. It must be a forum not only for results of laboratory investigation but also clinical research. It must inform its readers of events happening outside the laboratory and the medical center that may impinge on the ability to do research or on the care of hypertensive patients. It must serve the science of hypertension and promote the better care of hypertensive patients.” …