Progression of uncontrolled hypertension and implications for managing its sequelae

Cardiovascular risk, which increases incrementally with blood pressure, is most closely related to systolic pressure. Isolated systolic hypertension and increased pulse pressure are hazardous. Because hypertension seldom occurs in isolation from other atherogenic risk factors that augment its risk, global risk assessment is mandatory for evaluating the hazard and the nature and intensity of treatment required. The predominant component of uncontrolled hypertension resides in systolic blood pressure.