Prehypertension: is it relevant for nephrologists?

Blood pressure (BP) in the prehypertensive range is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Patients with co-morbidities are at greater risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) development in the presence of prehypertension. Lifestyle changes can alter the natural history of prehypertension; however, long-term adherence is rare and thus, their impact on outcomes is limited. Pharmacological therapy in patients with prehypertension and demonstrable target organ damage with blockers of the renin-angiotensin system has demonstrated benefits on markers of CKD outcomes such as microalbuminuria. There are no data, however, on 'hard end points' such as doubling of creatinine or need for renal replacement therapy. In patients with diabetes, monitoring changes in albuminuria, along with assessment of BP in the prehypertensive range, is important to optimize early management and impact the attenuation of CKD progression. Data from natural history studies in patients with type 1 diabetes indicate that increases within the microalbuminuria range antedate increases in BP within the prehypertensive range. Even within the microalbuminuria range, however, systolic BP increases above 125 mm Hg are predictive of nephropathy. Thus, nephrologists need to ensure that their colleagues appreciate the importance of not only early BP intervention but also of monitoring albuminuria changes in order to have maximal impact on CKD prevention.