Determinants of control of high blood pressure. The Oslo Health Study 2000-2001.
OBJECTIVE
To examine determinants of control of high blood pressure in Oslo, Norway.


METHODS
The Oslo Health Study 2000-2001, a population-based survey, included 6301 men and 7645 women born in 1924/25, 1940/41, 1955 and 1960 that were screened for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors. Uncontrolled high blood pressure was defined as systolic > 140 mmHg or diastolic > 90 mmHg or both.


RESULTS
Use of antihypertensive drugs was 4.1% at age 40-45 years, 19.1% at age 60 years and 35.8% at age 75 years. Among pharmacologically treated subjects with diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD), one-third of subjects aged 40-45 years, over one-half of those aged 60 years and nearly two-thirds of those aged 75 years had uncontrolled high blood pressure. These proportions were 8-13 percentage points higher in subjects without diabetes or CVD. Among pharmacologically treated men, younger age, use of statins, body mass index below 25 kg/m2, and CVD or diabetes were associated with a lower risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Among treated women, younger age and cigarette smoking were associated with a lower risk (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of CVD or diabetes and the prescription of cholesterol-lowering statins were independently associated with better control of blood pressure. Non-smoking women were more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure than their smoking counterparts.
Tonstad
Serena
S
Department of Preventive Cardiology, Preventive Medicine Clinic, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. serena.tonstad@uus.no
Furu
Kari
K
Rosvold
Elin Olaug
EO
Skurtveit
Svetlana
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003625:Data Collection; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors