A system for treating a patient, comprising: a sensor for monitoring a parameter indicative of a need to modify baroreflex activation therapy; a baroreflex activation device for activating a baroreflex of a patient according to a baroreflex activation therapy; a therapy circuitry for delivering the baroreflex activation therapy in step-sized baroreflex activation therapy intensity increments; a controller configured for applying the baroreflex activation therapy to the patient, the controller connectable to the therapy circuitry and the sensor; a memory system in communication with the controller and configured for storing information regarding the baroreflex activation therapy, said system characterised in that it is adapted to be programmed with a target value for said parameter and with prescribed baroreflex activation intensity step sizes associated with large and small rates of parameter changes; further wherein the system is adapted to: (a) deliver baroreflex activation therapy to the patient while the parameter is being monitored, (b) determine whether there has been a change in the magnitude of the parameter and if so, whether such change is an increase or decrease, (b.1) if it is determined that there has been a decreasing change, identify whether the rate of change has been large or small and decrease baroreflex activation therapy intensity by the step size prescribed for large or small rates of parameter change (12, 11), respectively, (b.2) if it is determined that there has been an increasing change, identify whether the rate of change has been large or small and increase baroreflex activation therapy intensity by the step size prescribed for large or small rates of parameter change (14, 13), respectively. a sensor for monitoring a parameter indicative of a need to modify baroreflex activation therapy; a baroreflex activation device for activating a baroreflex of a patient according to a baroreflex activation therapy; a therapy circuitry for delivering the baroreflex activation therapy in step-sized baroreflex activation therapy intensity increments; a controller configured for applying the baroreflex activation therapy to the patient, the controller connectable to the therapy circuitry and the sensor; a memory system in communication with the controller and configured for storing information regarding the baroreflex activation therapy, said system characterised in that it is adapted to be programmed with a target value for said parameter and with prescribed baroreflex activation intensity step sizes associated with large and small rates of parameter changes; further wherein the system is adapted to: (a) deliver baroreflex activation therapy to the patient while the parameter is being monitored, (b) determine whether there has been a change in the magnitude of the parameter and if so, whether such change is an increase or decrease, (b.1) if it is determined that there has been a decreasing change, identify whether the rate of change has been large or small and decrease baroreflex activation therapy intensity by the step size prescribed for large or small rates of parameter change (12, 11), respectively, (b.2) if it is determined that there has been an increasing change, identify whether the rate of change has been large or small and increase baroreflex activation therapy intensity by the step size prescribed for large or small rates of parameter change (14, 13), respectively. (a) deliver baroreflex activation therapy to the patient while the parameter is being monitored, (b) determine whether there has been a change in the magnitude of the parameter and if so, whether such change is an increase or decrease, (b.1) if it is determined that there has been a decreasing change, identify whether the rate of change has been large or small and decrease baroreflex activation therapy intensity by the step size prescribed for large or small rates of parameter change (12, 11), respectively, (b.2) if it is determined that there has been an increasing change, identify whether the rate of change has been large or small and increase baroreflex activation therapy intensity by the step size prescribed for large or small rates of parameter change (14, 13), respectively.