Hypertension is a common condition affecting one in four adults. It is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and appropriate treatment strategies that are both clinically and cost effective are key to the management of this condition. Recent guidelines have focused on addressing total cardiovascular risk and recommended rational combinations of antihypertensives as well as highlighting the importance of lifestyle intervention. Recent advances have increased understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertension and have opened the possibility of novel interventions for treatment.