OBJECTIVE: The LIFE Study demonstrated a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients with ECG left ventricular hypertrophy treated with losartan (versus treatment with atenolol) over a mean period of 4.8 years. This reduction was essentially related to a significant 25% decrease (p = 0.001) in the risk of fatal and non-fatal stroke. The objective of this study was to compare the treatment costs relating to each therapeutic strategy throughout the duration of the LIFE Study. METHODS: Data on efficacy and resources consumed were extracted from the published results of the LIFE study. A cost minimization study was carried out and the costs were calculated from the point of view of the French Health care system. The total estimated direct costs included those relating to the medicinal product and management of the cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, heart failure, stroke and revascularization). The medicinal products were valued on the basis of the purchasing price (retail price inc. VAT), and hospitalization costs were estimated on the basis of PMSI data and the national cost scale. Indirect costs were not considered. RESULTS: Over the 4.8 years, the mean cost of losartan per patient ranged from €1132 (lower bound) to €1199 (upper bound). The mean cost of atenolol per patient was €366. The mean cost of the cardiovascular events were respectively €1969 and €2261 for losartan and atenolol groups. Therefore, the total mean cost per patient ranged from €3101 to €3169 for the losartan group and was estimated €2627 for the atenolol group. CONCLUSION: The annual incremental cost for each patient treated with losartan ranged from €99 to €113. This additional cost is associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (especially stroke).