[Modern antihypertensive drug therapy].

The role of hypertension as a major risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular events is well known. Various studies have shown that rigorous antihypertensive treatment can clearly reduce both cerebrovascular and cardiovascular mortality. In recent years, the therapeutic aims of antihypertensive treatment have undergone considerable changes, and to the pre-eminent aim of blood pressure reduction has been added organ protection, which is now a major effect of modern antihypertensive therapy. Today, the selection of an antihypertensive agent is decided not solely on the basis of blood pressure, but to a large extent by the requirements of organ protection and the specifics of the underlying disease. To enable individually effective antihypertensive treatment, a knowledge of the pharmacological profile of the various drugs available, and of the respective broad spectrum of side effects is an important precondition. Although non-drug therapeutic measures also have a part to play in the treatment of hypertension, antihypertensive drugs remain the most important tool for treating essential arterial hypertension.