Hypertension affects about one quarter of all adults in the Western World and places a correspondingly huge demand both on primary care physicians and national health care systems. If not treated early and correctly complications such as; Heart failure, renal disease and cerebral haemorrhage can occur. The last decade has witnessed significant advances in the management of hypertension through the development of new drugs, combination therapy and improved dietary habits. Both national and international groups have regularly drawn up guidelines for the best methods of treatment; unfortunately not all the national guidelines are in agreement. The result is confusion both at a primary care level and in hospital hypertension clinics. Professor Neil Poulter is recognised as one of the foremost authorities on the best practice in hypertension management. A leading figure in the assessment and evaluation of new therapies and the drawing up of national and international guidelines; one of his primary goals in writing this book has been to clarify areas of contradiction and confusion and provide the already overworked clinician with clear unambiguous guidelines on the best practice in hypertension management The book starts with a review of epidemiological studies and goes on to discuss the best approaches to patient assessment. One of the most controversial issues addressed is: at what level should drug treatment be initiated and whether non-drug treatment has a role. Each chapter is based around major questions such as these. Every chapter benefits from publication of the very latest data and key references. This book will be welcomed by all those involved in the management of hypertensive patients, in particular general practitioners and senior nursing staff. The first book to address controversies within the national and international guidelines. Professor Poulter is a well known and successful author in the field of cardiology in general and hypertension in particular.