Patterns of blood pressure in Milwaukee

Blood pressure measurements were obtained among 92,074 persons in Milwaukee between 1974 and 1976 by the Milwaukee Blood Pressure Program. Systolic hypertension was more prevalent in young white men than blacks below 25 years of age, was more common in middle-aged blacks than whites, and was equally prevalent among all persons past 65 years. Diastolic hypertension was more prevalent in blacks than whites of all ages. Whereas the prevalence of systolic hypertension in the population increased with age and was present in a majority or near majority of persons past 65 years, the prevalence of diastolic hypertension rose until the sixth decade, after which it declined. Hypertension was primarily of a diastolic variety in young blacks, whereas systolic hypertension was a prominent feature in young whites.