A method of determining a suitable blood pressure lowering treatment for an individual comprises a step of assaying a biological sample from the individual for the presence or absence of the C-5312T SNP in a distal enhancer region of the renin gene. The presence of at least one T allele is indicative of an increased response to a blood pressure lowering treatment selected from the group comprising: angiotensin-2-receptor blockers ACE Inhibitors aldosterone receptor blockers and beta-receptor blockers. The absence of at least one T allele is indicative of an increased response to a blood pressure lowering treatment selected from the group comprising: renin inhibitors calcium channel blockers and diuretics.
