[The arterial pressure problem in dental practice]

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one the most frequent problems, especially for older patients in Europe. Often hypertension has no symptoms, therefore it is called a "Silent Killer". The morbidity and mortality is high among the population. This provides important significance for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. In the USA and the Netherlands screening of blood pressure during dental check-ups was studied. It became well-known that blood pressure increases more in hypertensive patients than in controls. Before check-up increase is about 8 mm Hg, but during treatment without a local anesthesia and during extraction under a local anesthesia there is a significant sudden increase. Therefore it is important to define patients physical status including blood pressure, in ASA risk score. This allows to take preventive measures during dental treatment in patients with a systolic blood pressure between 160 - 200 mm Hg and diastolic 95 - 115 mm Hg. A systolic blood pressure > 200 mm Hg and diastolic > 115 mm Hg is an absolute contraindication to dental procedure.