[Arterial hypertension as a medico-social disease. Etiopathogenetic aspects and therapeutic possibilities].

The increased incidence of arterial hypertension raises important medicosocial problems, since it has been shown that the prognosis for those who receive treatment is different from that of those who do not. Mass education is required to ensure that as many sufferers are aware of their condition before complications set in. Those detected should be properly classified in accordance with the nature, type and degree of their form and treated on the basis of its aetiopathogenesis. It has, in fact, been shown that, apart from secondary forms, even those of a primary nature can be differentiated in the light of their predominant aetiology: hyperincretion of catecholamines, hyporeninaemia, hypercorticoidism, etc. These, of course, require specific, directed drug management: anti-adrenergic treatment, diuretic treatment, administration of spironolactone, etc.