[Spanish Society of Cardiology practice guidelines on arterial hypertension].

High blood pressure is a well-known cardiovascular risk factor that is responsible for an elevated morbidity and mortality. However, although efficacious drugs for treatment and numerous and updated scientific training programs are available, the reality is that only a low percentage of patients are followed up in accordance with the rates which are presently considered normal. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide medical guidance for the prevention, detection and evaluation of hypertension, and to provide the best diagnosis and treatment. The factors involved in cardiovascular complications in the hypertensive patient are multiple. That is why this report places more emphasis in the individual cardiovascular risk stratification as part of the treatment strategy. The information obtained in the most recent studies published confirms the interest in achieving the greatest decrease in rates of blood pressure. This treatment to lower levels is especially useful in the high-risk subgroup. It maintains the necessity of nonpharmacological measures or lifestyle modifications in all patients with high blood pressure who either need or do not need drug therapy. All pharmacological groups may be used, but it is appropriate to choose the specific antihypertensive agent adapted to the clinical and individual situation with the use of low doses of drugs to initiate therapy and the use of appropriate drug combinations.