Management of Patients with Arterial Hypertension in Italy: A Consensus Document of the Italian Society of Hypertension (SIIA) and the Italian Society for Cardiovascular Prevention (SIPREC) About the Recommended Care Pathway and Areas for Improvement

Chronic diseases represent one of the most significant challenges for Public Health in Italy, involving approximately 24 million people and generating an annual cost of more than 66.7 billion euros. Among these, arterial hypertension affects 31% of the population, and it is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the management of arterial hypertension presents several challenges, including inconsistencies in care pathways, poor integration between healthcare settings, and low therapeutic adherence. This document aims to share the findings of a national-level project that defined the recommended care pathway for managing hypertensive patients, identified potential areas for improvement, and proposed supporting solutions, including a list of indicators for evaluation and monitoring. The key areas for improvement, particularly the promotion of therapeutic adherence and the strengthening of communication between community-based and hospital services, serve as a foundation for optimizing the management of this condition and fostering more effective collaboration among the various stakeholders and levels of care within the healthcare system.