Treatment of hypertension reduced markedly (by more than 40%) the prevalence of cerebrovascular attacks, the prevalence of cardiac failure, malignant hypertension and ophthalmological complications of hypertension. The impact of antihypertensive treatment on the incidence of ischaemic heart disease is less marked. The wide use of diuretics and beta-blockers is supported by the fact that large studies of antihypertensive treatment revealed that they reduced the cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in a marked way. On the other hand, diuretics exert a negative effect on insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, cholesterol and may lead to hypokalaemia and hyperuricaemia. Non-selective beta-blockers are not optimal from the aspect of the risk profile of hypertensive patients. Therefore there is justified hope that wider use of calcium antagonists, beta-blockers of the third generation, ACE inhibitors and selective alpha 1 blockers will have a greater impact on IHD, as these drugs do not exert a negative effect on metabolic risk factors. At present an individual approach to treatment which takes into account other diseases present or complications of hypertension, in particular diabetes and hyperlipoproteinaemia, is the basic approach so far and the basis of therapeutic tactics.

Keywords: Humans; Hypertension /drug therapy/