Arterial hypertension-What was important in 2020?

Arterial hypertension remains the most significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and associated disability worldwide. In the field of arterial hypertension the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic also determined major parts of the scientific debate. Arterial hypertension is associated with a severe course of COVID-19, whereas risk of infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) does not appear to be increased in hypertensive individuals. According to current data, treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin type 1 receptor blockers is not associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or with a more severe course of COVID-19. A study on antihypertensive chronotherapy determined the scientific discourse on the medication treatment of hypertension. The HYGIA study concluded that bedtime medication reduces the cardiovascular risk in patients with arterial hypertension. Due to some study limitations, routine administration of bedtime antihypertensive medication cannot be recommended. Some of the reasons are discussed herein. Another scientific focus was on new renal denervation studies. Here, one can summarize that according to novel evidence, catheter-based renal denervation is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of arterial hypertension, which could become established as an alternative to pharmaceutical blood pressure reduction in the near future.