Prevalence of secondary hypertension in a population sample of Swedish women

Abstract

In a comprehensive population study of 1462 women aged 38--60 in Göteborg, Sweden, the prevalence of secondary hypertension was estimated to be 0.8% of the total population sample and 4.6% of those who were hypertensive (defined as systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 95 mmHg or both or antihypertensive treatment irrespective of blood pressure levels). These figures were based on thorough clinical and laboratory investigations and a follow-up period of 12 years. Women with arterial hypertension reported a history of toxaemia of pregnancy and a family history of hypertension more often than non-hypertensive women. In comparison with non-hypertensive women, in both untreated and treated hypertensive women, serum uric acid, urinary methoxycatecholamine excretion, body weight and the prevalence of albuminuria were increased and serum potassium decreased (statistically significant differences).