Risks for arterial hypertension.

In this article, the most important risk factors that may predict the transition from borderline to established hypertension are reviewed. Primary prevention has to focus on identifying individuals who are at highest risk and delaying or reversing further elevation of arterial pressure levels. A review of the literature indicates that several environmental and congenital factors can be identified as risk factors for the development of hypertension, including family history of essential hypertension, age, race, obesity, alcohol consumption, salt intake, hormonal status, and some stress factors. Of all diagnostic approaches to predict the development of hypertension, measurements of resting heart rate and responses to dynamic exercise have some predictive value.