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Hypertension (Blood Pressure) and Lifetime Risk of Target Organ Damage

  • Mechanisms of Hypertension and Target-Organ Damage (JE Hall and ME Hall, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to describe the long-term or lifetime relationship between blood pressure and target organ damage. The use of the term “blood pressure” as opposed to hypertension is purposeful. The risk of cardiovascular disease from blood pressure begins below the levels of blood pressure defined as hypertension by contemporary definitions.

Recent Findings

An important recent publication that bears on this topic was the 2017 ACC/AHA Blood Pressure Management Guidelines. The redefinition of hypertension and blood pressure treatment goal to 130/80 mmHg and the decision to rely almost exclusively on data from event-based randomized controlled clinical trials, which led to a recommendation for lifestyle therapy only for most with stage 1 hypertension, were important. A report from the CARDIA study demonstrated significant risk for cardiovascular disease at 20 years for stage 1 hypertension.

Summary

Based on all evidence, clinicians should consider the use of medication for stage 1 hypertension in those uncontrolled on lifestyle therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA

    Daniel W. Jones

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Donald C. Clark III

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Correspondence to Daniel W. Jones.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Mechanisms of Hypertension and Target-Organ Damage

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Jones, D.W., Clark, D.C. Hypertension (Blood Pressure) and Lifetime Risk of Target Organ Damage. Curr Hypertens Rep 22, 75 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-020-01086-6

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