[Commentary on the 6th Report of the American National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure]. 
Systemic hypertension is present world-wide and it is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.  A great number of different drugs have been used in the treatment.  Many other drugs are being developed, but evidence upon their effect on morbidity and mortality is not always present.  In this setting, the sixth report of the National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Bloos Pressuere, review the safety and efficacy of therapies in hypertension.  In the absence of counter-indications diuretics and beta-blockers should be used as first-line agents.  Treatment must be based, not only on the level of blood pressure.  Risk factors, target organ disease, and other comorbid diseases are considered.  Not all the recommendations are solidly based.