SCREENING FOR HYPERTENSION IN AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY

Screening for hypertension has been done in an epidemiological study of a large group of 5 200 Copenhagen men aged 40–59. Men having BP readings above the limits systolic ≥ 165 mmHg and diastolic 105 mmHg, and ≥ diastolic 110 mmHg alone, were subjected to further study. 196 men were untreated and had BPs above the arbitrary limit set up, 150 of whom were included in the present study. One-third of the patients had manifestations of high BP in heart or eyes. Blood values of cholesterol, uric acid, quantitative lipoprotein electrophoresis, Hb and haematocrit were compared with normotensive controls. No differences between patients and controls were found. All patients had their BP measured twice by one observer, the value being lower in the second than in the first measurement, but in only two patients was the second BP below 140–90 mmHg. Few of the patients had earlier been to see their doctor because of symptoms. The results of the study indicate that hypertension is a common and symptomless abnormality or disease and, as shown in this and other studies, involves an increased risk of cardiovascular complications.