Although recent trials have shown that antihypertensive treatment can bring about a reduction in stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure and renal disease, the situation is no longer improving. This is due to the fact that the percentage of hypertensive patients with satisfactory blood pressure is still very poor. International guidelines on hypertension indicate the importance of assessing the absolute risk of patients and the use of a lower dose of drugs to improve the efficacy-tolerability profile. Diuretics used at lower dosage than in the past are effective in reducing morbidity and mortality and continue to be drugs of first choice in the treatment of hypertension. Indapamide sustained release (Natrilix SR) 1.5 mg has an antihypertensive effect equivalent to indapamide immediate release 2.5 mg with a 50% reduction in incidence of serum potassium levels <3.4 mmol/l. Natrilix SR has proved to have a neutral effect both on lipid and glucose profiles and to reduce microalbuminuria in diabetic hypertensive patients. Recent multicentre European clinical trials have shown that Natrilix SR decreases diastolic blood pressure to <90 mmHg in about 75% of patients treated for 1 year. In elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension, Natrilix SR has been proven to be as effective as amlodipine 5 mg and significantly more effective than hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg. Natrilix SR produces regression of left ventricular hypertrophy which, in the Left ventricular hypertrophy: Indapamide Versus Enalapril study was greater than that induced by enalapril. Natrilix SR represents an appropriate choice not only as a first-line drug in many hypertensive patients but also in at-risk patients like the elderly, subjects with other cardiovascular risk factors, target organ damage, diabetes, or impaired renal function.