title: Prehypertension is associated with early complications of atherosclerosis but not with exercise capacity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prehypertension has a high risk of progression to hypertension, and intensive lifestyle modification including regular exercise is recommended for the management of prehypertensive individuals. However, data on the association between exercise capacity and hypertension status are limited. Therefore, we aimed 1) to define the characteristics of prehypertension, focusing on metabolic aspects and exercise capacity, and 2) to elucidate determinants of exercise capacity in healthy individuals without hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively identified 741 normotensive healthy subjects (mean age, 52.6±8.8years; 57.9% men) who underwent consecutive cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The participants were categorized into two groups: the optimal blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP<120mmHg and diastolic BP<80mmHg, n=364) and prehypertension (systolic BP 120-139mmHg and/or diastolic BP 80-89mmHg, n=377) groups. Exercise capacity was assessed with peak oxygen consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prehypertension group showed metabolic syndrome characteristics, and had increased left ventricular mass index and impaired diastolic function. However, no significant differences in exercise capacity were found between the optimal BP and prehypertension groups (peak VO2, 25.3±7.2 vs. 25.8±7.3mL/kg/min, p=0.327). Age, resting heart rate, and fat percentage were identified as independent determinants of exercise capacity (p<0.001 for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prehypertension is associated with metabolic disarrangement and preclinical target organ damage but not with exercise capacity. Exercise capacity is determined by age, resting heart rate, and body composition in relatively healthy individuals who do not have hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Hyang
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: heartihmsh@yahoo.co.kr.
authors.forename: Sang-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ihm
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Hyeon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Woo-Baek
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hae Ok
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Center, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho-Joong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Youn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001823:Body Composition; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D058246:Prehypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Echocardiography; Exercise test; Exercise tolerance; Metabolic syndrome; Prehypertension