Elevated diastolic, but not systolic, blood pressure measured in the emergency department predicts future development of hypertension in normotensive individuals.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is reported in many individuals without hypertension presenting to the emergency department (ED). Whether this condition represents a transient state or is predictive for the development of future hypertension is unknown. This observational prospective study investigated patients admitted to an ED without a diagnosis of hypertension in whom BP values were ≥140/90 mm Hg. The primary outcome was development of hypertension during follow-up. Overall, 195 patients were recruited and at the end of follow-up (average 30.14±15.96 months), 142 patients were diagnosed with hypertension (73%). The mean age (50±12.25 vs 48.31±13.9, P=.419) and sex distribution (78 men/64 women vs 24 men/20 women, respectively; P=.148) were similar in both groups. There were significant differences in systolic and diastolic BP between those who developed hypertension on follow-up and those who did not (177.6 mm Hg±22.6/106.1 mm Hg±16.9 vs 168.6 mm Hg±18/95.2 mm Hg±12.2; P=.011 for systolic BP, P<.001 for diastolic BP). In multivariate analysis the only significant predictive factor for the development of hypertension was diastolic hypertension recorded in the ED (P=.03). Elevated diastolic, but not systolic, BP among patients presenting to the ED is associated with future development of hypertension in previously normotensive individuals.