[It is well known, that there is a difference between peripheral and central systolic and pulse pressure. As the pressure wave travels distally from the heart, there is a significant increase, which is called pressure amplification. Central blood pressure can be measured easily and non-invasively, and the result shows a positive correlation with cardiovascular end-points. Several antihypertensive drugs can differently decrease central and peripheral blood pressure. The effect of diuretics on central systolic and pulse pressure is neutral or negative. While traditional β-blockers (e.g. atenolol) have a definitive negative effect, nebivolol shows a positive one. The calcium antagonists tend to have a favorable effect, while the clear beneficial effect of the angiotensin converting enzime inhibitors is well documented. There are only few data on angiotensin receptor blockers, however, the results seem to be promising.]

[Hypertension - affecting both the large and the small cerebral vessels - is the most frequent risk factor for cerebrovascular disorders manifesting in stroke, hypertensive encephalopathy or vascular dementia. The central pressure measured at the proximal part of the aorta has more important role in the development of vascular hypertrophy and carotid atherosclerosis than the pressure measured in the brachial artery. Central aortic pressure more accurately reflects the filling conditions of the left ventricle and thus the pressure conditions affecting the cerebral vascular system, than brachial pressure values, therefore possibly predicts more reliably the risk of cardiovascular events than brachial pressure values. Features of the stiffness of large arteries (like pulse wave velocity) more directly reflect the chronic effect of ageing, hypertension and diabetes than brachial or even central aortic pressure. Therefore in upcoming clinical trials arterial stiffness and central aortic pressure should be considered as possible surrogate endpoints. Antihypertensive treatment is an important part of primary and secondary stroke prevention. Decreasing blood pressure in hypertensive subjects significantly decreases the risk of stroke and other vascular events, and the extent of risk reduction primarily depends on the extent of the decrease in blood pressure. Several factors should be considered when choosing from treatment options. The use of traditional β blockers - partly due to their smaller effects on central blood pressure - decreased recently. Further observations will decide on the role of third generation β blockers in the prevention of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.]

[The mechanisms of action of direct renin inhibitors and the important clinical findings gained by the first, clinically approved drug, aliskiren are discussed. The relative lack of side effects and the very long-lasting antihypertensive action of aliskiren is emphasized. Investigations showing efficacy and protective effects of aliskiren and its combinations with other antihypertensive drugs (diuretics, calcium antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers) against hypertension-induced subclinical organ damage as well as still ongoing clinical trials are also described.]

[Annual citations in the PubMed database on vitamin D were approximately 5000, this represents a doubling in the last decade and a 20% increase in the last year. There is renewed interest in vitamin D synthesis, metabolism and action. The two principal reasons for increased interest can be: 1. new knowledge regarding the nonhormonal, autocrine, and paracrine actions of 1,25-dihydroxylated vitamin D metabolites in man, 2. the worsening, worldwide trend to vitamin D insufficiency. Clinical vitamin D research in last years has confirmed the presence of a worldwide problem of vitamin D depletion, a problem that appears to be worsening. Largescale population based studies bear out long-held concerns that low serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with a number of adverse outcomes in the human musculoskeletal, innate immune, and cardiovascular systems. In fact, low vitamin D levels are significantly associated with all-cause mortality in the U.S. population and Hungary respectively. It is hypothesized that the global rise in incidence of obesity contributes to the worsening of the problem of vitamin D deficiency, amplifying adverse impacts on the host skeleton, immunoreactivity to microbes, and metabolic status. Finally, it should be remembered that treatment of vitamin D deficiency has two phases: restoration of 25(OH)D levels up to more than 30 ng/ml; and maintenance of the serum 25(OH)D level in that range. The present upper level (UL) of vitamin D intake that is deemed to be safe (2000 IU/day) must be re-evaluated considering data acquired over the past 15 years.]