Despite the improve- ments, however, rates of control were lower among Hispanics compared with whites and among those 18 to 39 years of age compared with older individuals. BP, particularly SBP, rises with increasing age in both chil- Individuals who are normotensive at 55 years of age have a 90% lifetime risk for developing hyperten- More than two thirds of people 65 years of age are Because the risk of stroke increases progressively with increasing BP and because many individuals have a BP level below current drug treatment thresholds,220 nondrug or life- style approaches are recommended as a means of reducing BP in nonhypertensive individuals with an elevated BP (ie, pre-hypertension: 120 to 139 mmHg SBP or 80 to 89 mmHg Pharmacological treatment of prehypertension appears to reduce the risk of stroke. 