Prognostic factors in treated hypertension.

Prognostic factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) were studied in 686 treated, middle-aged male hypertensives followed for 10 years at a hypertension clinic. The factors studied were all obtained from a standard clinical routine examination and both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Only entry characteristics were analysed. The 10-year incidence of any CVD event (CVD death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke) was 15.3% and of coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity (fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction) 12.3%. Independent predictors of CVD morbidity were diastolic blood pressure (DBP), smoking, cholesterol, proteinuria, angina pectoris and previous stroke. Except for a previous stroke the same variables were independent predictors of CHD. The findings show that in spite of treatment for hypertension, the CVD risk is still substantial if organ damage or other risk factors are present. The results underline the importance of multiple risk factor intervention in hypertensive patients.