Long-term prognosis in juvenile hypertension--a 20 and 28-year experience

In 1952-1954, 96 out 256 students aged 14-29 years and registered for juvenile hypertension, had systolic BP of 170/100 mmHg or higher. Of this original group, 73% and 74% could be reexamined after 20 and 28 years, resp. After 20 years, a spontaneous regression of hypertension (HPT) without any therapy occurred in 35.5%. In the remaining patients HPT or borderline HPT was still present, but only 17.1% showed evidence of progression, i.e. development of new organic changes. The examination performed after 28 years showed the same distribution of BP as 8 years ago, and no significant progression of HPT. The prognosis of juvenile HPT was significantly related to the initial values of BP and body mass recorded in 1952-1954, to the family history of hypertension and to familial life expectancy. Juvenile HPT has not a poor prognosis and need not continue into middle or higher age.