Abdominal obesity is a manifestation of severe metabolic disturbances with the common background that is insulin resistance. Hypertension often accompanies obesity. When choosing antihypertensive drugs in obese patients physicians should take into account its impact on metabolism. Activation of the abdominal obesity-induced renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system justifies the preference of antihypertensive drugs blocking this system, i.e. converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers. Based on inference analysis of clinical trials and the results of experimental studies, the slogan Fight the big belly with valsartan becomes understandable.