[Reducing the burden of hypertension on the community. From control to prevention (author's transl)].

Hypertension is a powerful and widespread cardiovascular risk factor, that can be effectively treated, but is still considerably undertreated. Better control of hypertension could be achieved by enhancing case finding, stimulating antihypertensive drug prescription, and improving patient compliance through a better doctor-patient relationship. Whatever the effectiveness of the current programmes of control of hypertension in the community, it remains to develop a preventive approach based on reducing salt intake and preventing overweight in young adults.