['The ESH classification of blood pressure includes the high-normal blood pressure (HNBP) category, which is within normal limits but associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk.', 'To identify additional CV risk factors and early signs of target organ damage in healthy individuals with HNBP.', 'Healthy volunteers (n = 74) with optimal blood pressure or HNBP were compared with respect to metabolic and haemodynamic parameters.', 'The HNBP was associated with higher serum uric acid (333.1 ± 65.4 vs 267.7 ± 65.4 μmol/L, p < 0.05) and glucose (4.7 ± 0.3 vs 4.5 ± 0.3 mmol/L, p < 0.01) concentrations, intima-media thickness (0.39 ± 0.06 vs 0.36 ± 0.04 mm, p < 0.05), systemic vascular resistance index (2,678.2 ± 955.9 vs 1,930.2 ± 625.5 dyn x s x m(2)/cm(5), p < 0.001), lower total arterial compliance index (1.04 ± 0.42 vs 1.44 ± 0.48 mL/[mm Hg x m(2)], p < 0.01) and baroreflex sensitivity (14.2 ± 3.8 vs 18.0 ± 8.8 mm Hg(2)/Hz, p = 0.05).'] Do individuals with high-normal blood pressure have different metabolic and haemodynamic characteristics to those with optimal blood pressure?