Prehypertension: What to Do?

Abstract

Prehypertension (PHTN) is a global health problem that carries the risk of being prone to developing hypertension in the future along with double the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Its prevalence is 25 to 50% based on data from different countries, and it varies with age, sex, birth weight, and body mass index (BMI). Regarding its pathophysiology, several mechanisms have been proposed, but the most validated are Ras activation, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, sympathetic overdrive, and central nervous system activation. Therapeutic lifestyle changes are the foundation for all therapies in prehypertensive patients, which are recommended by almost all guidelines. Drug therapy has also been tried in a couple of trials and is recommended in high-risk patients.