This compact guide on the practical management of the hypertensive individual first saw light in 1990. The underlying concept was, and still is, to produce an easily accessible 'leaf-through' type of mini-textbook on the hypertensive individual's condition and the many dilemmas that surround diagnosis, surveillance and intention to treat or not treat. Our primary aim has been to promote a utilitarian train of thought in the decision-making process in practice, whether general or specialistic. In pursuing this policy, we felt, however, that the terms of practical orientation and advice should be matched, in a concise form, to scientific arguments whenever possible. This cannot always be achieved in reality, so that some chapters unavoidably have a more scientifically-oriented flavour than others. For the 'eager reader' in search of more scientific facts, selected references have been provided. One may rightfully wonder whether such a concept would not turn into a hybrid kind of hypertension guide. And, yes, this booklet has become something of a hybrid, a compromise between an ultra lean and superbly pictorial compendium like the Clinician's Manual on Hypertension (Hansson, 1990) and the ABC of Hypertension (O'Brien et aI. , 1995) on the one hand, and full-blown textbooks (e. g. Laragh and Brenner, 1995; Swales, 1995) and even the Handbook of Hypertension Series, Birken hager and Reid (1983 onwards) on the other.

Inhalt
1A. General principles of blood pressure measurement.- 1B. Conventional blood pressure measurement.- 1C. Automated blood pressure measurement.- 2. Pathophysiological basis of hypertension.- 3. Cardiovascular risk associated with hypertension; interactions with other risk indicators.- 4. Evaluation of the hypertensive subject.- 5. Special situations in hypertension (childhood and adolescence; pregnancy; old age).- 6. How to deal with secondary hypertension.- 7. Non-pharmacological intervention.- 8A. Drug treatment: efficacy and adverse effects. Specific responses in patient sub-groups and treatment approach.- 8B. Antihypertensive drug combinations.- 9. Predictability, assessment and improvement of compliance with regard to taking antihypertensive drugs.- Appendix: Profiles and dosages of antihypertensive drugs.