Hypertension 2004]

During the past year the upper limit for normal blood pressure has been lowered, but the relevant societies only give the mean values without taking the high blood pressure variability into account. For statistical reasons and for practical purposes, blood pressure should be measured often and therefore by the individual him/herself. In this respect the situation is far from being ideal, and not just in Austria. Treatment for hypertension both concerning advice on the necessary change in lifestyle and medication is on the whole unsatisfactory. Suggestions for optimizing the respective strategies are given.