Progression Rate From New-Onset Pre-Hypertension to Hypertension in Korean Adults

Background: There are limited studies conducted in Asia to investigate the progression rate to hypertension (HTN). This study was done to estimate the progression rate of new-onset pre-HTN (PreHTN) to HTN during an 8-year follow-up period, and to compare the impact of PreHTN on progression to HTN. Methods and Results: A total of 49,228 participants, aged 30 to 54 years with new-onset PreHTN at baseline (1994-1996) from a biennial national medical exam were enrolled and followed up every 2 years until 2004. The incidence rate recorded at each interval and the cumulative incidence rate of HTN were analyzed. Hazard ratio of high-normal and high blood pressure (BP) in men and women was calculated. The cumulative incidence rate for high-normal BP was 27.6% and 26.4% at 2-year follow-up, increased to respectively 64.1% and 55.8% in men and women at the 8-year follow-up. Compared to optimal BP, hazard ratios for men with high-normal BP across all age groups were 3- to 4-fold higher at 2-year, and 2- to 3-fold higher at 8-year follow-up. Hazard ratios for women were about 6-fold higher at 2-year and around 4-fold higher at 8-year follow-up. Conclusions: New PreHTN was a significant predisposing factor for future HTN, in young adults and the effect is more prominent in women. (Circ J 2011; 75: 135-140)