[Arterial hypertension (author's transl)].

Arterial hypertension represents the most prevalent disease on our country. Due to cardiovascular complications, early invalidism and increased mortality are common. There is general agreement that genetic influences, overweight and increased uptake of salt are predisposing factors. In about 5--10% of all hypertensive patients an underlying cause can be incriminated. Among these cases of secondary hypertension less than 10% can be treated by surgery alone. Hypertension teaching programs in other countries using conventional treatment protocols have met with considerable success in all types including borderline-hypertension.