To evaluate the diagnostic potential of seven examinations in order to define the most suitable strategy for target organ damage (TOD) search in hypertensive patients. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. 153 consecutive treated and essential hypertensive patients were enrolled. Patients with established cardiovascular or chronic renal disease (stage ≥4) were excluded. TOD search was assessed by: glomerular filtration rate (GFR), albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (ECO), ankle-brachial index (ABI), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid ultrasound (intima media thickness and presence of plaques). The rationale of our strategy ought to determine the performance of applying a set of the most widely available tests (GFR, ACR, ABI, ECG) and advise about the optimal sequence of the remaining tests. The sample was 64.4±7.9 years old, 45.8% males. 82.6% of the sample had any TOD at all. The resulting algorithm found a 37% TOD in relation to GFR, ACR, ABI and ECG values. Adding carotid ultrasound added up to 70% of the studied population and properly classified (TOD+/TOD-) 89% of the cohort. When performing PWV, 78% of the patients had been identified as TOD+ and 96% of the population was correctly identified. Contribution of ECO was minor. After running the more widely available explorations (GFR, ACR, ABI, ECG), a step-by-step strategy that included carotid ultrasound, PWV and ECO could be the best sequence for TOD search in asymptomatic hypertensive patients.