[Therapeutic trials in arterial hypertension].

Therapeutic trials in hypertension taught us that a strategy based on a thiazide diuretic, or a beta-blocker as first-line drug, has reduced significantly the incidence of stroke (relative risk reduction: -35%), major coronary events (-14%), cardiovascular death (-18%) and heart failure (-42%). The level of cardiovascular risk, taking into account classical risk factors, multiplied by relative risk, offers the best estimate of therapeutic absolute benefit. In terms of prevention, being treated seems to be more important than the level of blood pressure that has been reached.