Provided is a method of treating arterial hypertension in a patient. The method comprises selecting a patient suffering from arterial hypertension and creating a flow pathway between a first vascular location and a second vascular location. The first vascular location comprises a source of arterial blood and the second vascular location comprises a source of venous blood. The method causes a reduction in diastolic pressure and a reduction in systolic pressure and the reduction in diastolic pressure is to an extent at least approximating the reduction in systolic pressure. Systems and devices for creating a flow pathway are also provided.
