One hundred years ago arterial hypertension was not even mentioned in medical textbooks. In 1930 it was referred to as a disease of civilisation. Today we know that it is largely responsible for cardiovascular deaths, the major cause of mortality in industrialised countries. Arterial hypertension is a singular disease entity. It is defined arbitrarily, it is closely linked to sociocutural factors and it has enormous economic impact. Hypertension was recognised as a risk factor between the two world wars. The driving force behind this recognition was financial rather than medical. The evolution of the understanding and management of hypertension reflects the profound changes that have affected twentieth century medicine. This book is the work of a multidisciplinary editorial team composed of internationally renowned experts. Originally published in French under the auspices of the French Society of Hypertension, this English edition has been acclaimed by the International Society of Hypertension. A Century of Arterial Hypertension reflects on the evolving concepts of hypertension over the past hundred years and reveals an essential yet little-known facet of modern medicine. The originality, wealth of historical documents and bibliography will make this book of interest not only to cardiologists and physicians in general, but to anyone who aspires to understand how modern medicine has achieved what it has.