Mortality rate and medical expense caused by cardiovascular
disease (CVD) have been increased[1]. Therefore, constant efforts with close attention, have been made to manage hypertension (HT) which is one of the major risk factors of CVD[2]. In Koreans over the age of 30, the awareness rate and treatment rate of HT were 66.0% and 61.1%, the control rate of blood pressure (BP) being 42.9%[3], lower than those of other countries such as England, USA, and Canada[4]. Also, even though a variety of policies and projects are being carried out to
manage HT, the medical expense of this disease is continuously
rising, about 630 billion won being spent in 2012[5], 13% of the year’s total medical expense was spent to treat HT and its complications, particularly CVD, in Korea.