[Arterial hypertension and the kidney].

Arterial hypertension is a factor of major risk of cardiovascular complications which represent the first cause of death in the world. One can define it as a level of blood pressure (140/90 mmHg) beyond which the cardiovascular risk is important and requires a therapeutic action. One of the etiopathogenic assumptions selected is a disordered state of the relation pressure natriuresis wich is the major mechanism of control of long-term arterial pressure. The diagnostic means and of monitoring were the subject of consensus on the level of scientific societies what is not the case of the therapeutic strategy . In more of lifestyle change, the patients with renal diseases generally require an association of antihypertensive drugs whose the thiazide diuretics ones must have a leader place. Their association with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists seem to give the best effectiveness in term of cardioprotection and nephroprotection.