Epidemics of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) are presently occuring or accelerating in developing countries, as epidemiologic transition accompanies socio-economic and demographic changes. Hypertension, a major risk factor for coronary and cerebrovascular disease, needs effective programmes for prevention, recognition and control. Strategically, hypertension control is ideally suited to be the initial component of an integrated CVD control programme which has to be implemented in the developing countries. Primary prevention, through a population based lifestyle linked programme, as well as cost-effective methods of detection and management are synergestically complementary approaches. The existing health care infrastructure needs to be reoriented to meet the emerging challenge of CVD, while empowering the community through health education.