Achieving blood pressure control in every hypertensive patients remains a difficult task despite the availability of a several types of agents lowering blood pressure by different mechanisms. The choice of initial therapy is important. Starting therapy using a blocker of the renin-angiotensin system increases the probability that the patients remain on the same drug during long-term treatment. Fixed-dose combinations, by improving blood pressure control without impairing tolerability, also facilitate persistence with therapy. Furthermore, stability of treatment has a positive impact on drug-associated costs.