What's New and What Gaps in 2013 European Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension: A Reappraisal

Arterial hypertension is the most common cardiovascular risk factor causing over 9 million deaths worldwide. Its treatment is crucial in preventing adverse outcomes, in reducing morbidity and mortality and related socio-economic impact of cardiovascular diseases. The European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Hypertension recently published the new guidelines for the management of hypertension in order to provide physicians diagnostic and therapeutic tools and indications for improving health outcomes. Despite the new advances proposed by the authors, gaps in evidences still persist. The aim of our paper is to give an overview about the new aspects proposed in the arterial hypertension management and the dark side of the knowledge still persisting about such a matter.