Determinants of control of high blood pressure. The Oslo Health Study 2000-2001

To examine determinants of control of high blood pressure in Oslo, Norway.

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.

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).

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.