Thirtieth Anniversary of Hypertension

Abstract

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Hypertension , the leading journal dedicated to research on blood pressure regulation and the pathophysiology, clinical treatment, and prevention of hypertension. Although the past 3 decades have brought remarkable changes in the technologies and science of high blood pressure research, the basic goals for Hypertension have remained remarkably constant–to publish the highest quality basic, clinical, and population science research and to promote better care of hypertensive patients. The 1970s was an exciting time for hypertension researchers, distinguished by the translation of many decades of research into effective, new approaches for treating high blood pressure. For example, the first peptide angiotensin II receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors became widely available to researchers in the early 1970s, and the first orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor was described in 1977. After decades of increasing death rates from cardiovascular disease, the 1970s heralded declining rates of cardiovascular mortality attributed, in large part, to the development and use of more effective drugs to treat patients with hypertension. Publications in the field of hypertension increased exponentially. Yet, establishing a journal devoted solely to hypertension had a difficult beginning. Lou Tobian, Chair of the American Heart Association (AHA) Council for High Blood Pressure from 1975 to 1977, reminisced in his editorial, “I was looking for a special project … the entire field of high blood pressure was expanding at a fast clip. The whole situation cried out for a new journal dedicated to the general area of hypertension. It would be the first in the world …. The idea was broached informally and met some stiff resistance.” The chair of the AHA Publications Committee was, according to Tobian, “… strongly opposed to the creation of this new journal.”1 Fortunately, the chair was absent when Tobian made his pitch …