The Norwegian Society of Hypertension held its third scientific meeting in February 1991. One of the issues discussed was when to initiate drug treatment of uncomplicated essential hypertension and what level of blood pressure should be the goal of treatment. The American guidelines suggest that a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher should be treated pharmacologically, whereas WHO suggests 160/95 mm Hg. The consensus at the meeting was that, in otherwise healthy subjects without end organ damage, a diastolic blood pressure of 100 mm Hg or more over three to six months should be treated with drugs, and that a safe goal would be around 135-140/85-90 mm Hg.