Trends in blood pressure and the prevalence and treatment of hypertension in young adults in the Netherlands, 1974–1986

Abstract

To investigate trends in blood pressure and the prevalence and treatment of hypertension in the Netherlands between 1974 and 1986, data from two screening projects on cardiovascular risk factors were used. Between 1974 and 1980 about 30,000 men and women aged 37–43 were screened. Between 1981–1986 about 80,000 men aged 33–37 were examined. An increase in average systolic blood pressure by 2 mmHg in men in the period 1974–1980 was followed by an insignificant change during the period 1981–1986. Average diastolic blood pressure increased by 4 mmHg between 1974 and 1980 but decreased by the same amount between 1981 and 1986. The prevalence of hypertension in 40-year-old men increased from 12.7% in 1974 to 17.8% in 1980. The prevalence of hypertension in 35-year-old men did not change between 1981 and 1986 and amounted to 9.6%. Treatment of 40-year-old hypertensive men increased from 8% in 1974 to 21% in 1980 and from 9% in 1981 to 13% in 1986 among 35-year-old men. Average systolic blood pressure did not change in 40-year-old women between 1974–1980 but average diastolic blood pressure increased by 2 mmHg during that period. The percentage of hypertensive women was 8.5% and did not change between 1974 and 1980. Also, the percentage of treated hypertensive women did not change and amounted to 28%. It can be concluded that the prevalence of hypertension did not change in 40-year-old women while in 40-year-old men it increased between 1974–1980. In 35-year-old men the prevalence of hypertension did not change between 1981–1986. Treatment of hypertension was more common in young adult women than in young adult men. However, an increase in treatment of hypertension in young adult men was observed in both periods.