What is Prehypertension? - Answer
The correct answer is E. - All of the statements are true.
“Because of new data on lifetime risk of hypertension and the impressive increase in the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with levels of BP previously considered to be normal, the JNC 7 report has introduced a new classification that includes the term ‘prehypertension’ “ (JNC 7 Report, 2003). The diagnosis of prehypertension is confirmed when an average of two or more blood pressure measurements on separate visits, or equivalent home blood pressures, reveal a DBP of 80-89 mm Hg or SBP of 120-139 mm Hg. These BP ranges are still considered normal and prehypertension is not a disease category. Prehypertension is a designation chosen to identify individuals at high risk of developing hypertension (50% of prehypertensive patients will eventually develop hypertension). Individuals who are prehypertensive are notcandidates for drug therapy based on their level of BP and should be strongly encouraged to practice lifestyle modification in order to reduce their risk of developing future hypertension. Moreover, individuals with prehypertension, who also have diabetes or kidney disease, should be considered candidates for appropriate drug therapy if a trial of lifestyle modification fails to reduce their BP to 130/80mmHg or less.
FYI | Prehypertension
Vasan RS, Larson MG, Leip EP, Evans JC, O’Donnell CJ, Kannel WB, et al. Impact of high normal blood pressure on the risk of cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med 2001;345:1291-7.
Lizka et al. Prehypertension and Cardiovascular Morbidity
Ann Fam Med 2005;3:294-299