Family (parental) history and prevalence of hypertension. Results of a nationwide screening program

R. Stamler, J. Stamler, W. F. Riedlinger, G. Algera and R. H. Roberts

In a nationwide screening program, blood pressure measurements, family (parental) histories of hypertension, and self-evaluations of weight class were obtained for more than a half million people. Positive family history was associated with hypertension prevalence double that found in persons with negative history and was independent of weight. When overweight was also present, however, hypertension prevalence was three to four times as high. Hypertension was more likely to have been previously diagnosed in screenees if family history was positive. However, such screenees did not have a higher proportion receiving effective treatment than those with negative family history. When an index case of hypertension is found, other family members should be examined. For persons with positive family history, nutritional-hygienic recommendations to avoid overweight may be important in reducing the risk of becoming hypertensive.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Association of Parental Hypertension With Concentrations of Select Biomarkers in Nonhypertensive Offspring
Lieb et al.
Hypertension 2008;52:381-386.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Burden and Rates of Treatment and Control of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Obesity: The Framingham Heart Study
Molenaar et al.
Diabetes Care 2008;31:1367-1372.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Blood Pressure Change and Risk of Hypertension Associated With Parental Hypertension: The Johns Hopkins Precursors Study
Wang et al.
Arch Intern Med 2008;168:643-648.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Risk Score for Predicting Near-Term Incidence of Hypertension: The Framingham Heart Study
Parikh et al.
ANN INTERN MED 2008;148:102-110.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Familial Aggregation of Retinal Vessel Caliber in the Beaver Dam Eye Study
Lee et al.
IOVS 2004;45:3929-3933.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Violence Exposure, Catecholamine Excretion, and Blood Pressure Nondipping Status in African American Male Versus Female Adolescents
Wilson et al.
Psychosom. Med. 2002;64:906-915.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Socioeconomic Status and Blood Pressure Reactivity in Healthy Black Adolescents
Wilson et al.
Hypertension 2000;35:496-500.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT