[Treatment of hypertension in preventive health care. Experiences from a high-risk strategy in the first cardiovascular examinations].

A subset of the total population aged 35-49 years was screened for elevated blood pressure in three Norwegian counties. As part of a high risk approach in the prevention of risk factors for CVD, the persons identified as having elevated blood pressure were referred for intervention and treatment. The follow-up time varied from three to five years. Even though there was an overall improvement of blood pressure during the follow-up period, a comparison showed no overall significant difference in the magnitude of blood pressure reduction between those that participated in the intervention program and those that did not. The paper raises questions about the quality of the intervention and about the high risk approach in general as a model for prevention.