Introduction: Reducing cardiovascular risk: ONTARGET--a new standard in cardiovascular protection.

The papers that comprise this supplement were presented at two satellite symposia held in Berlin on the 17 and 18 June 2008 at the joint congress for the 18 Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension and the 22nd Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension. The two symposia were sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and were entitled ‘Reducing Cardiovascular Risk: New Insights From ONTARGET, and ‘ONTARGET: New Standard in Cardio & Vascular Protection’. The aim of the lectures in these symposia was to provide a wider perspective of the landmark ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET) Programme.