Angiotensin receptor blockers are a new class of agents that have made a major contribution to the treatment of hypertension. These agents effectively reduce blood pressure and are well tolerated. Other clinical trials have focused, however, on the much wider use of angiotensin receptor blockers in conditions such as congestive heart failure, postmyocardial infarction management, and diabetic nephropathy. Recent studies have provided evidence that these agents might confer target organ protection in hypertension that is equal to, and possibly better than, the benefits provided by conventional antihypertensive agents. Moreover, there is now little doubt that these drugs are effective alternatives to ACE inhibitors in heart failure and will become treatments of choice for patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy. Cardiovascular study outcomes have still not determined, however, whether high-risk patients would do better on angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or a combination of both, except in cases of intolerance to ACE inhibitors.