"A concerted public policy effort to prevent cardiovascular disease
through more aggressive high blood pressure diagnosis and treatment will
save productive lives and dramatically cut healthcare costs," said
Representative Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands), a physician and member
of Congress. "This is an alarming epidemic that needs immediate attention
by Congress and this Administration. The current healthcare system cannot
support the growing cost burden -- we must review existing high blood
pressure programs and identify areas for improved efficiency."

"This report should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. The
devastating toll that high blood pressure has had not only on Americans,
but people across the world, can be significantly reduced if we focus our
attention and efforts," said U.S. Representative Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), a
member of the powerful U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means
Subcommittee on Health. "I am committed to working closely with
Representative Christensen and other members of the U.S. Congress to ensure
that the proper attention and resources are allocated to educating the
public and policymakers so we can reverse this trend before it becomes an
uncontrollable crisis."