Morbidity and Mortality in Untreated and Treated Hypertension: Results from the Göteborg 50- year- old Men Study

Summary

Total mortality, and mortality and morbidity from myocardial infarction, have been followed in one-third (n=855) of a total male population from the age of 50 to the age of 60. An initial screening examination was performed in 1963 when the participants were 50 years old. Mortality data were gathered from death certificates and autopsies. Fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction was followed by means of an infarction register. The participants were divided into four groups according to blood pressure in 1963 and the mortality and morbidity data in these 4 groups were compared with those who had been on antihypertensive treatment from 1963 to 1973.

There was a significant rise both in total mortality and in mortality and morbidity from coronary heart disease with rise in blood pressure. Treated hypertensives had a lower total mortality and mortality from myocardial infarction than subjects who had diastolic blood pressure ⩾115mm Hg in 1963 but who had not received antihypertensive treatment, indicating a preventive effect of antihypertensive treatment. No difference in non-fatal myocadial infarction was observed between treated hypertensives and those with initial diastolic blood pressure ⩾115mm Hg.