Practical management of borderline hypertension.

Patients with borderline hypertension are at a higher risk to develop sustained hypertension and its sequelae, higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, this excess risk is not overwhelming. Aggressive antihypertensive medication for all patients with borderline hypertension is not warranted. Only patients who are at highest risk for hypertension and its complications should be given small doses of antihypertensive monotherapy. The objective of the treatment is to lower blood pressure without side effects. Patients who are not chosen for treatment must be continuously managed. The management includes following the blood pressure trends, dietary sodium restriction, and control of overweight.