Morning surge blood pressure as a phenotype of systemic hemodynamic atherothrombotic syndrome Translated title: Aumento de la presión arterial matutina como fenotipo del síndrome aterotrombótico hemodinámico sistémico

Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. Owing to widespread use of antihypertensive medications, global mean blood pressure (BP) has remained constant or decreased slightly over the past four decades. By contrast, the prevalence of hypertension has increased, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Estimates suggest that in 2010, 31.1% of adults (1.39 billion) worldwide had hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among adults was higher in LMICs (31.5%, 1.04 billion people) than in high-income countries (HICs; 28.5%, 349 million people). Variations in the levels of risk factors for hypertension, such as high sodium intake, low potassium intake, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, may explain some of the regional heterogeneity in hypertension prevalence. Despite the increasing prevalence, the proportions of hypertension awareness, treatment and BP control are low, particularly in LMICs, and few comprehensive assessments of the economic impact of hypertension exist. Future studies are warranted to test implementation strategies for hypertension prevention and control, especially in low-income populations, and to accurately assess the prevalence and financial burden of hypertension worldwide.