Hypertension is a major cause of cerebral accidents, cardiac disease and renal failure. Essential or secondary hypertension occur in between 15-20 per cent of the population. The leading risk factors are family history, race, stress, obesity, a high intake of saturate fats or sodium, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle, and aging. It may also be caused by other diseases, medical events, or taking of drugs of a wide variety. Most cases of hypertension are treatable although prolonged elevated blood pressure can lead to severe consequences including death. This new book gathers leading research from around the world on the etiology, pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this widespread disease.