White Coat Hypertension, Metabolic Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Risk Profile

Several studies have investigated the cardiovascular risk profile of individuals with white coat hypertension, focusing not only on the prevalence of asymptomatic organ damage (Chapter) but also on the concomitance of metabolic and other classical cardiovascular risk factors [1–8]. This chapter will address the evidence that has been obtained on this issue, largely based on the data provided by the PAMELA population in which the association of white coat hypertension with cardiovascular risk factors has been examined more in depth than in other studies, via both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal approach. The conclusion will be that white coat hypertension is associated with an unfavourable cardiovascular risk profile, which supports its abnormal nature and adverse clinical significance.