Hypertension is a major health problem throughout the world because of its high prevalence and its association with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension have played a major role in recent dramatic declines in coronary heart disease and stroke mortality in industrialized countries.

However, in many of these countries, the control rates for high blood pressure have actually slowed in the last few years. It is estimated that by 2010, 1.2 billion people will be suffering hypertension worldwide [1]. 

In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the prevalence of hypertension averages 29% and it affects approximately 125 million individuals .Of greater concern is that cardiovascular complications of high blood pressure are on the increase, including the incidence of stroke, end-stage renal disease and heart failure