Fig. 1.

Rationale for classifications according to blood pressure level, disease severity, and pathogenesis or pathophysiology in the management of hypertension. Treating blood pressure to the target level should be the focus of antihypertensive therapy (vertical axis). In truly uncontrolled hypertension, disease severity should be evaluated by measuring function and structure of the vascular system and the target organs, and then specific interventions and treatment can be considered (horizontal axis). Only those patients with characteristics suggestive of secondary hypertension or specific pathogenesis or pathophysiology should undergo screening for secondary causes of hypertension (lateral axis).