Prehypertension

Whether to treat prehypertension or not?

Prehypertension, defined as the blood-pressure range of 120 to 139 mm Hg systolic or 80 to 89
mm Hg diastolic, is present in about 70 million Americans. The condition heralds arterial hypertension and thus may be considered a starting point in the cardiovascular disease continuum. Because of its high prevalence and long-term complications, prehypertension has been estimated to decrease the average life expectancy by as much as five years.Unfortunately, current preventive strategies, although admirable from both individual and societal perspectives, are weak .
With respect to patients with prehypertension who have diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, the data are already fairly clear.In fact, current guidelines recommend medical treatment of such patients if a trial of lifestyle modification fails to reduce blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. Moreover, antihypertensive treatment in patients with blood pressure in the prehypertensive range and coexisting vascular conditions may improve organ protection.

Currently, recommendations for the management of prehypertension propose a healthful diet
including sodium restriction, enhanced physical activity, weight loss, and moderation of alcohol
intake. Such lifestyle interventions modulate more than a single risk factor. Moreover, such programs may directly address the mechanisms augmenting the epidemic growth of obesity, diabetes, and prehypertension and hypertension in Western societies.

So if there are other comorbid conditions, it is better to be treated for prehypertension along with above modifications.