OBJECTIVES: To analyse the utilisation of antihypertensive drugs within Slovakia between 2000 and 2004 and to asses the economic consequences of antihypertensive medications. METHODS: For 2000 - 2004, the data about consumption of drugs for cardiovascular disease were collected, in accordance with the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification (ATC: C01- C10) and Defined Daily Dose (DDD) measurement unit. This analysis focused on the situation in antihypertensive medication in more detail. Data of wholesalers, who are legally obliged provide this information to the SUKL, was used for the analysis. RESULTS: A significant increase in the medication of cardiovascular disease (in 2000 (290.27), in 2002 (376.30) and in 2004 (388.06) in term of DDD/1000/day can be seen from this analysis. The results show that the consumption (in term of DDD/1000/day) of ß-blockers was (in 2000 (32.04), in 2002 (41.91) and in 2004 (42.78), ACE inhibitors (in 2000 (57.01), in 2002 (81.86) and in 2004 (88.79), Ca-blockers (in 2000 (39.72), in 2002 (55.42) and in 2004 (63.25), diuretics (in 2000 (28.20), in 2002 (32.82) and in 2004 (31.67), peripheral vasodilators (in 2000 (20.89), in 2002 (22.12) and in 2004 (19.63), vasoprotectives (in 2000 (33.89), in 2002 (41.67) and in 2004 (34.23), serum lipid reducing agents (in 2000 (12.79), in 2002 (22.18) and in 2004 (31.50). In financial terms, the consumption of ß-blockers in 2000 (€7,024,000) and 2004 (€10,515,000), ACE inhibitors in 2000 (€18,714,000) and 2004 (€32,290,000), Ca-blockers in 2000 (€16,971,000) and 2004 (€19,454,000), diuretics in 2000 (€1,609,000) and 2004 (€2,478,000) can be seen from this study. CONCLUSIONS: Inseparable components of the Slovak drug policy must be viewed realistically with regard to the antihypertensive drugs' consumption. Adherence to principles of antihypertensive treatment's guidelines lead to fundamental short and long term financial savings within health care systems.