Prehypertension

The pathogenesis of hypertension is multifactorial and highly complex. There are several influential factors that control blood pressure (BP) for adequate tissue perfusion, such as vascular reactivity, circulating blood volume, blood viscosity, cardiac output, blood vessel elasticity, and neural stimulation. Increased peripheral resistance, vascular rigidity, and vascular responsiveness to stimuli are significant to the pathophysiology of hypertension. Sodium has a primary effect on blood pressure leading to excess circulating volume, affecting hypertrophy, contractility, and vascular resistance (Buttaro, Trybulski, Bailey, Sandberg-Cook, 2011). Prehypertension is blood pressure measurements with a systolic pressure from 120-139 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure 80-89 mm Hg. Prehypertension is typically asymptomatic and easily overlooked by clinicians. The progression of prehypertension to hypertension can be rapid, especially in individuals whose blood pressure lies in the higher ranges of

This association results in increased sodium reabsorption, enhanced sympathetic nervous system stimulation, and increased angiotensin II and aldosterone production, all of which result in higher blood pressure. DASH, a diet consisting of substantial servings of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, low in red meats, reduced sodium, decrease in saturated and total fat, low in sugar-containing drinks, and an increase in potassium has shown to significantly reduce blood pressure. Studies have shown a correlation between obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension. A decrease in caloric intake by 500 kcal/day may result in an achievement of a weight reduction of 0.45 kg (1 pound) per week. A weight reduction of 4.5-kg (10-pound) has displayed a great decline in blood pressure (Hernandez & Anderson,