[Blood pressure. Regulation and epidemiology. Standard measures and values]

The use of mercury in the field of blood pressure measurement will decrease and even disappear by the xxist century. Concurrently, automatic devices outspread will significantly limit the observers' bias. In order to better define hypertension, not only does one have to use several measurement methods but also to consider blood pressure reference values for each of these methods. Moreover, analyzing the various peripheral pressures: systolic, diastolic and pulse pressures have to be completed with further specific parameters such as measurement of central BP and arterial stiffness, major determinants of blood pressure levels. This should lead to improve therapeutical approaches of cardiovascular diseases and consequently, to a better management of hypertensive patients.