On the occasion of World Hypertension Day 2015 PAHO launched the virtual course “Management of high blood pressure for primary health care teams”. The course is available online on the PAHO Public Health virtual campus, It is completely free and can be accessed through the following link:
http://cursos.campusvirtualsp.
The course was produced by the department of non-communicable diseases and mental health of PAHO, with the financial support of the United States CDC and the teaching coordination of the Argentine Society of Cardiology, It has the scientific endorsement of the Inter-American Society of Cardiology (SIAC) and the Latin American Society of Hypertension (LASH).
Under the self-learning modality, the course has 12 interdependent modules covering epidemiological and prevention aspects, pathophysiological, diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure, and the organization of health services; Emphasizes the importance of controlling hypertension to reduce morbidity and mortality and complications associated with this condition., especially due to cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the region.
Each of the modules has an introductory conference by renowned professors, contains practical exercises and a self-assessment session. Those who approve the 12 modules will receive an accreditation certificate signed by the Director of PAHO with 60 academic credit hours.
This course is aimed at health personnel who are involved in the timely recognition of hypertensive patients., namely: primary care doctors, family doctors, Medicine students, as well as nurses (as), and in the same way we extend an extensive invitation to specialist doctors, internists, cardiologists, pediatricians and obstetric gynecologists to take the course and strengthen their knowledge in the area.
Bearing in mind that high blood pressure affects between 20-40% of the adult population of the Region and that in the Americas around 250 millions of people suffer from high blood pressure, that HTN is preventable and must be treated promptly once diagnosed, We hereby request your support to disseminate this information through your networks and contacts., especially through the Ministries of Health, Social Security Institutes, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, Professional associations and all those who can contribute to promoting the use of this important educational resource. It is recommended that given the relevance of the topic and the topicality of the course, such institutions include this course in regular education programs both in undergraduate and postgraduate education..