[Critical evaluation of the functional signs of arterial hypertension]

Influence of blood pressure levels on the prevalence of symptoms was studied in a group of 1771 untreated hypertensive patients referred to the Saint-Joseph Hypertension Clinic in Paris. Information on symptoms was obtained from a standardized physician-conducted interview during the patient's first visit at the Outpatient Clinic. The most frequent symptoms were headaches (40.5 p. 100), palpitations (28.5 p. 100), nocturia (20.4 p. 100) and dizziness (20.8 p. 100). Except for nocturia, symptom prevalence was higher in females than males. In males as well as in females, no correlation was found between blood pressure level and the presence of headaches, dizziness and palpitations when results were adjusted for age. In contrast, the relationship between two behavioural characteristics, anxiety and lack of regular physical activity, and symptom prevalence was more pronounced than the relationship with the blood pressure level itself. Moreover symptom prevalence differed significantly between the five permanent physicians of the Clinic; comparison of results obtained by physician conducted interview and self administered questionnaire indicated that difference between physicians were not due to difference in patient's characteristics but to differences in physician behaviour.