[Arterial hypertension, correlated factors and cardiovascular risk].

Arterial hypertension is considered one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This is clearly demonstrated by the numerous epidemiological studies conducted in the last 30 years. More recently the attention of several investigators was centered on possible additional risk factors connected with hypertension, first of all left ventricular hypertrophy. In fact the Framingham study and other longitudinal studies have come to the conclusion that left ventricular hypertrophy represents a major risk factor, at least in men. Even more recently other research workers suggested that the activation of the renin-angiotensin system might also increase cardiovascular risk as well as a generalized increase in the Na+/H+ countertransport. If confirmed, these demonstrations could have not only physiopathological and clinical implications, but also some therapeutic consequences. In fact not all available antihypertensive agents are capable of positively interfering with these parameters.