The systemic arterial hypertension represents one of the most
important causes for cardiovascular morbidity in Brazil and affects
from 15% to 20% of the adult population, also presenting signifi-
cant prevalence in children and adolescents. Considered as one of
the main risk factors for morbidity and cardiovascular mortality rate,
it generates high social cost, once it is responsible for about 40%
of the early retirement cases and work absenteeism in our envi-
ronment