ABSTRACT
Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries. The prevalence of high blood pressure increases with age, is greater for blacks than for whites, and in both races is greater in less-educated people. Despite a broad variety in the prevalence between the Western countries and even between regions of one country, a mean prevalence of high blood pressure of 15% to 20% can be assumed.1
