Athletes with Systemic Hypertension

Hypertension is rare in the young, but its prevalence increases with aging. Currently, about 25% of the population has hypertension and this is expected to increase to up to about 29% in 2025. The overall risk of the hypertensive patient depends not only on blood pressure but also on the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors, target organ damage, and associated clinical conditions. The recommendations for preparticipation screening, sports participation, and follow-up depend on the cardiovascular risk profile of the individual athlete. When antihypertensive treatment is required, calcium channel blockers and blockers of the renin-angiotensin system are currently the drugs of choice.