Treatment of prehypertension: lifestyle and/or medication

eatment of prehypertension: lifestyle and/or medication Review (1388) Total Article Views Authors: Collier SR, Landram MJ Published Date November 2012 Volume 2012:8 Pages 613 - 619 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S29138 Received: 07 July 2012 Accepted: 10 October 2012 Published: 15 November 2012 Scott R Collier,1 Michael Landram2 1Vascular Biology and Autonomic Studies Laboratory, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA; 2Università degli Studi di Roma “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy Abstract: Prehypertension is a warning to individuals with resting blood pressures between 120/80 mmHg and 139/89 mmHg of an insidious progression of blood pressure towards hypertensive levels (≥140/90 mmHg). Prehypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and end organ damage compared with individuals who are normotensive. This review primarily focuses on internal and external factors associated with the prevalence of prehypertension. Elucidating all of the factors associated with a rise in resting blood pressure and comparing the effects of medication versus lifestyle changes may aid the clinician in developing a preventive and/or treatment strategy for each individual.