[Hypertension consensus in The Netherlands].

It is known that mild hypertension is a common disorder and there is increasing evidence that it is possible to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular damage by antihypertensive treatment. Stimulated by the controversy on the identification and treatment of patients with mild hypertension, a Dutch hypertension consensus meeting was held on March 16th 1990. Consensus was reached that the decision to treat should be taken on the basis of both the blood pressure level and the individual risk profile, including hypercholesterolaemia, history of smoking, diabetes, or a family history of cardiovascular disease. Subjects at risk should be identified by selective case finding (persons with known additional risk factors) and screening restricted to men aged 55 to 65 years. All patients should be started on non-pharmacological treatment by decreasing sodium intake, and where necessary reducing body weight and alcohol consumption, and stopping smoking. If antihypertensive drugs are to be given, diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, and (or) calcium antagonists are the drugs of choice.