Abstract
A thorough evaluation of the patient should be made before antihypertensive therapy is instituted, with careful assessment of the cardiac, vascular and renal status. A complete diagnosis should be established if possible, even if age or other considerations preclude definitive treatment. The authors discuss the diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma, renal ischemic hypertension, and primary aldosteronism, and also present the details of a system of drug therapy which has been highly successful in their hands. The system is composed of three categories: minimal, moderate and “all-out.” Hypertensive emergency and hypertensive headaches also are discussed.