Recent advances in the treatment of hypertension.

The most exciting recent advances in the treatment of hypertension have been in our appreciation of the probable involvement of the kidney in all forms of hypertensive disease, in our improved understanding of the basic underlying mechanisms in some forms of the disease, and in the clarification of mechanisms of action of some of the most useful drugs. This permits us to diagnose more accurately and to administer therapy more rationally. Treatment of the mild and moderate stages of the disease, although not yet proved to reduce mortality and morbidity, would appear to be justified since pressure control is readily achieved with the relatively non-toxic drugs currently available.