Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

Prehypertension in disease-free adults: a marker for an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile

Alok K Gupta1, Meghan McGlone, Frank L Greenway

  • 1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. alok.gupta@pbrc.edu

Hypertension Research : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension
|June 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Prehypertension (PreHTN) in healthy adults signals increased cardiometabolic risk, often missed by standard checks. Early detection of PreHTN can identify at-risk individuals for timely intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Metabolic Risk Assessment
  • Public Health Surveillance

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
  • Current risk assessment methods are insufficient, missing many individuals at risk for sudden cardiac death.
  • Prehypertension (PreHTN) in disease-free adults is associated with an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of prehypertension in clinically healthy adults.
  • To determine if prehypertension is associated with an increased number of adverse cardiometabolic risk factors.
  • To explore the potential of prehypertension detection as an early marker for cardiovascular disease risk.

Main Methods:

  • Statistical analysis of data from disease-free adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2006.
  • Assessment of prehypertension prevalence based on blood pressure readings (120-139/80-89 mm Hg).
  • Correlation analysis between prehypertension and various cardiometabolic risk indicators including BMI, waist circumference, glucose, insulin, and lipid profiles.

Main Results:

  • Prehypertension was prevalent in 36.3% of disease-free adults, with higher rates in men and increasing prevalence with age up to 70.
  • Prehypertension strongly correlated with increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).
  • Individuals with PreHTN exhibited significantly higher levels of BMI, WC, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, HOMA, pulse pressure, CRP, total cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to those with desirable blood pressure.
  • Disease-free adults with PreHTN had a 30% higher prevalence of two or more unfavorable risk factors (excluding high blood pressure) compared to those with desirable blood pressure.

Conclusions:

  • Prehypertension in clinically healthy adults is common and linked to a cluster of adverse cardiometabolic risk factors.
  • Detecting prehypertension during routine health evaluations can serve as an early warning sign for heightened cardiovascular risk.
  • Interventions aimed at preventing the progression from prehypertension to hypertension may help mitigate overall cardiometabolic risk.

More Related Videos

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis07:51

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...