The article gives an overview of the risk factors for hypertension and the 
appropriate indication for using a fixed combination of telmisartan and 
hydrochlorothiazide. It cites large, multicentre clinical trials that 
demonstrate the efficacy and safety of telmisartan in patients with hypertension 
and also a metaanalysis of treatment with either telmisartan alone (TELMI) or in 
combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) which shows that it is a very well 
tolerated and safe treatment for patients across a wide age range.