[Borderline hypertension].

As to blood pressure values between 18.66 kPa and 21.14 kPa systolically and/or 11.99 kPa and 12.52 kPa diastolically according to the WHO-definition is spoken of borderline hypertension. In consequence of high rates of prevalence and incidence also in the borderline hypertension a particular preventive-medical interest is present. Own investigations yielded for 50 to 54-year-old males (n = 281) prevalence rates of 29% and for factory populations (n = 6,646 males and females) on an average 20.7%. Parallel to the results in hypertension in borderline hypertension in all age groups higher mean values of the triglycerides and of cholesterol were observed in normotonics. Under hormonal contraception in certain age groups (30--34, 35--39 and 40--49 years) altogether significantly higher systolic and diastolic values of blood pressure were found then in females without oral anticontraceptives. Within a clinical-ambulatory preventive programme performed for 8 years borderline hypertonics did not show any significant differences to the control group concerning the distribution of frequency of essential organ complications and the mortality. According to the present state of knowledge a permanent treatment of the borderline hypertension with substances reducing blood pressure still cannot be justified immediately.