Alcohol consumption and blood pressure in the 1982 Maryland Hypertension Survey.

This study examines the relationship between alcohol consumption and blood pressure in the 1982 Maryland Hypertension Survey, a crossectional population-based household survey of blood pressure control in adults residing in Maryland. In individuals less than 50 years old, a J shaped dose-response association was found with abstainers and heavy alcohol consumers having significantly higher blood pressures than moderate alcohol consumers (1 to 2 beverages per day). In individuals 50 years and older, alcohol was associated with higher blood pressures only at the highest levels of intake (greater than 2 beverages per day). The prevalence of hypertension was similarly affected in each age group. This association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure was independent of several variables that are associated with increased blood pressure such as age, sex, race, smoking, education, Quetelet index, social participation, and physical activity. The population attributable risk for hypertension due to heavy alcohol consumption is 5 to 7% in those greater than 50 years old and 6 to 8% in those less than 50 years old. These data suggest that alcohol consumption is a potentially important risk factor for elevations in blood pressure and hypertension.

The relation between degree of blood pressure reduction and mortality among hypertensives in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program.

The relation between degree of diastolic blood pressure reduction and mortality was examined among hypertensive persons in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program. This program, conducted from 1973-1979, was a multicenter community-based trial, which followed 10,940 hypertensive participants for five years. The one-year annual visit was the first occasion on which change in blood pressure could be measured on all participants. During the subsequent four years of follow-up on 10,053 participants, 568 deaths occurred. With time-dependent life tables and time-dependent Cox life table regression analyses, the existence of a quadratic function which modeled the relation between diastolic blood pressure reduction and mortality was supported, even after adjusting for other risk factors. The minimum mortality hazard ratio, based on a particular model, occurred at a diastolic blood pressure reduction of 26.2 mmHg (standard error = 13.4) in the whole population and 10.0 mmHg (standard error = 5.3) in the baseline diastolic blood pressure stratum 90-104 mmHg. After this reduction, there was a small increase in the risk of death. There was no evidence of the quadratic function after fitting the same model with systolic blood pressure. Methodological issues involved in studying a particular degree of blood pressure reduction were considered. The confidence interval around the change corresponding to the minimum hazard ratio was wide, and the obtained blood pressure level should not be interpreted as a goal for treatment. Blood pressure reduction was attributed not only to pharmacologic therapy but also to regression to the mean, and to other factors unrelated to treatment.

Systolic blood pressure as an independent predictor of mortality in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program.

The Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program (HDFP) findings demonstrate the predictive value of baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and of pulse pressure (PB) in five-year mortality from all causes. Grouping participants into four SBP strata revealed an approximately two-fold increase in age-adjusted mortality rate from SBP stratum I to SBP stratum IV. This effect remained after the contributions of other risk factors were controlled by multivariate analysis. In contrast, baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) had little demonstrable effect on mortality in this particular population. The predictive power of pulse pressure was similar to that of SBP. The group mean SBP of every stratum fell progressively during the trial, the change being of greater magnitude in the stepped care (SC) group than in the referred care (RC) group. Also, the reduction in all-cause mortality associated with SC treatment was observed at all levels of baseline SBP. An analysis using life table regression with SBP as a time-dependent variable showed that the postrandomization reduction in SBP was a significant factor in reducing mortality. Similarly, reduced DBP was also contributory. Prospective studies are required to answer definitively the question of the efficacy of treatment of systolic hypertension. Nevertheless, the present analysis of the HDFP data, despite design limitations, supports the advisability of reducing elevated systolic blood pressure.

Apparent prevalence of curable hypertension in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program.

Data describing the 5,485 participants in the stepped-care group of the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program were reviewed to determine the apparent prevalence of renal parenchymal and reversible, secondary hypertension. The investigation was limited and was not designed to identify all cases of secondary hypertension. Baseline prevalence of proteinuria was 3.6%, pyuria 7.1%, hematuria 5.1%, and elevated serum creatinine level (greater than or equal to 1.7 mg/dL) 2.7%. The combined occurrence of an elevated serum creatinine level plus one or more urinary abnormalities was noted in 0.95%. Initial review of case reports revealed six participants with hypertension secondary to use of birth control pills and three participants with hypertension that was proved to be secondary to renovascular disease. Specific laboratory or historical criteria were used as indications for more intensive investigation in an additional 65 participants. Among these individuals, one participant with renovascular disease and three with possible primary hyperaldosteronism were identified. A rapid-sequence intravenous urogram or radionuclide scan was performed on another subgroup of 62 participants whose hypertension was "poorly" controlled (diastolic BP, greater than or equal to 95 mm Hg). Fifty-nine studies were negative, one was positive, and two were equivocal. These results suggest that the frequency of clinically relevant cases of reversible, secondary hypertension, at least among individuals with mild to moderate elevation of blood pressure, is low.

Isolated systolic hypertension in 14 communities.

In the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program, 158,906 individuals from 14 communities around the United States had their blood pressure measured in their homes in 1972-1973. Of the total population screened, 2.4% had isolated systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg). Isolated systolic hypertension was present for 0.5% of those aged 30-39 years and 6.8% among those aged 60-69 years. The prevalence in blacks and women was greater than the prevalences in both whites and men. The prevalence among those taking antihypertensive medications at the time of screening was 6.1%, and 1.9% among those not on antihypertensive medications. From the individuals with "normal" diastolic blood pressure on the single home measurement (less than 90 mmHg), a random sample of 5,032 individuals were followed for mortality for eight years. Prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension was similar in this sample to that in the total. Among those not on antihypertensive medications, 8-year life table all-cause mortality rates adjusted for age, race, and sex were 17.6% for those with systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mmHg and 7.7% for those with systolic blood pressure greater than 160 mmHg. Among this population, all of whom had a diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg, a multiple logistic analysis adjusting for baseline treatment status, age, race, sex, education, smoking, weight, pulse, physical activity, and systolic blood pressure revealed that each millimeter increase in systolic blood pressure was associated with approximately a 1% increase in mortality over the eight years of follow-up (p less than 0.05). Isolated systolic hypertension is both relatively common and a significant risk factor for subsequent mortality.

Detection and treatment of hypertension in older individuals.

The Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program screened 34,012 individuals aged 60-69 years old in their homes in 14 communities around the United States during 1972 and 1973. The prevalence of hypertension, defined as diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication, was 42.1%. After a second clinic screen, 2,376 hypertensives were identified and randomized into Stepped Care, a special intensive treatment group, or Referred Care, a group referred to their usual medical care sources. These individuals were followed for five years (until they reached the ages of 65-74 years). Over the five years, 79.4% of older individuals remained under active care and 81.4% of those were at their goal diastolic blood pressure. Side-effects tended to be less frequent in older individuals than in younger ones. Older Stepped Care participants with mild hypertension (diastolic blood pressure 90-104 mmHg) had a 17.2% reduction in all-cause mortality over five years compared to Referred Care, which was primarily due to a reduction in deaths attributed to cardiovascular causes. Thus, antihypertensive treatment can be safely and beneficially administered to individuals in this age range with diastolic hypertension, including those with mild hypertension.

Black-white comparison of indices of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction in the stepped-care cohort of the Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program.

As part of the initial examination of individuals enrolled in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program, a standardized questionnaire to elicit symptoms of angina pectoris and myocardial infarction and to inquire about the clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction was administered. Angina pectoris was more prevalent in black males than white males and more prevalent in black females than white females. In white and black males and in white females, baseline prevalence of angina was associated with an approximate doubling of the 5-year mortality. A positive Rose Questionnaire for myocardial infarction, a positive clinical history of myocardial infarction, or a positive ECG for myocardial infarction was also associated with increased mortality in all of the race-sex groups, with the exception of black females, in whom the ECG evidence of myocardial infarction at baseline was only modestly associated with mortality. The Rose Questionnaire evidence of myocardial infarction was actually associated with a lesser 5-year mortality. The higher prevalence of angina pectoris in black hypertensive males in the face of a high prevalence of hypertension in blacks suggests that the combination of coronary artery disease and hypertension is more of a health problem in black males than in white males. The situation in black females, however, is less clear. The 5-year incidence of myocardial infarction, positive ECG or history, or positive Rose Questionnaire was approximately equal in blacks and whites among the treated hypertensive patients.

A survey of blood pressure in the state of Maryland.

To provide baseline data for a state program to coordinate hypertension resources, a blood pressure (BP) survey was undertaken in Maryland in 1978. A statewide probability sample of households was chosen; each adult member was eligible for interview and measurement of BP. A total of 6,425 adults were interviewed for an overall response rate of 79.5%. Using a definition of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 95 mm Hg or higher or use of antihypertensive medication, 15.1% of state residents were estimated to be hypertensive. Of these, 85.8% were estimated to be aware of their condition, 77.6% of them were treated, and 67.6% had their BP controlled to a normal level by medication. Data are also presented using DBP 90 mm Hg or higher. A comparison of data from the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program (HDFP) home screen in 1973-1974 and comparable information from this survey showed lower rates of awareness, treatment, and BP control in hypertensives at HDFP home screen. Results of this survey will be compared with those of a second statewide survey conducted four years later to assess changes in rates of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control.

Impact of hypertension information on high blood pressure control between 1973 and 1978.

To determine whether the immense multifocal efforts in the United States over the past 7 years to detect and treat high blood pressure (BP), had affected the status of hypertension, data from a national household survey in 1973-74 were compared with data obtained in 1977-78 from a second non-overlapping population in the same three communities. The impact of hypertension programs was measured by assessing change over the 5-year period in BP distribution, degree of awareness, and level of treatment in the population. Our data show that a substantial improvement in the status of high BP detection, treatment, and control has occurred since the early 1970s for all age, sex, and race groups studied.

Improving trend in hypertension control in a black inner city community.

Throughout the 1960's repeated findings indicated a poor state of management for hypertension in widely diverse communities across the United States. In the early years of the 1970's similarly derived findings showed a substantial improvement in hypertension management. These trends are confirmed in two random samples of a black urban population studied in 1971 and in 1973 indicating more than a twofold improvement in blood pressure control over that period. This improvement was noticeable in all subgroups of the population at risk although young black males continue to have a less favorable status of detection and control of hypertension.

Target organ damage in black hypertensives.

A representative sample of black hypertensives has been appraised to determine candidacy for hypertension treatment. A total of 1759 black residents were successfully screened at home. Forty-one percent of the males and 33% of the females had diastolic blood pressures of 95 mm Hg or greater. They were invited for secondary screening along with those hypertensives controlled on therapy. Clinical and laboratory evidence of cardiovascular disease was common among examined patients who were studied to determine their eligibility for therapy based on criteria of elevated blood pressure (greater than 104 mm Hg) at two visits, or evidence of end organ damage at lowere blood pressure levels. Of patients previously aware of their hypertension but not on therapy, 88% of the males and 67% of the females were considered candidates for therapy. Of patients not previously aware of their elevated blood pressure, 72% of the males and 67% of the females were considered candidates.