Geographical and socioeconomic distribution of high blood pressure and borderline high blood pressure in a Swedish rural county.

This report on "high" blood pressure (HBP) and "borderline high" blood pressure (BHBP) is based on a cross-sectional study in a rural Swedish county. The study was initiated in the Spring of 1977, selecting 7986 individuals aged 25-75 years, in 5-year intervals, in the 16 municipalities of Skaraborg County. A combination of health examination and a survey using polling of the population by interview was used. The blood pressure values that are presented are based on a casual measurement taken after a 5-minute rest period. The limits of HBP and BHBP correspond to the Swedish standard limits. Only a few researchers in Sweden have focused on the correlation between socioeconomic factors and hypertension. Moreover, few examinations have been made internationally concerning the correlation between socioeconomic factors and borderline hypertension. There was a significant variation in mean values of high blood pressure when comparing socioeconomic groups and comparing occupations. These differences associated with educational level were more pronounced for women than for men. Workers, especially men and persons with less formal education, had the highest mean blood pressure. Significant differences between socioeconomic groups existed even after adjustment for age, sex, weight index, smoking and treatment of hypertension. The socioeconomic differences constitute the most plausible explanation of differences seen between municipalities. "Borderline high" blood pressure was more prevalent than "high" blood pressure. Socioeconomic differences were greater within the borderline high blood pressure group than in the high blood pressure group. i.e., the differences between workers and civil servants were somewhat greater in the borderline high blood pressure group. Since there are socioeconomic differences, it might be possible to concentrate preventive activities in local communities on risk groups.