High-normal blood pressure in midlife is a stronger risk factor for incident hypertension 26 years later in women than men: the Hordaland Health Study

Abstract

Purpose: To identify modifiable risk factors in early midlife associated with incident hypertension 26 years later in women and men. Materials and methods: We used data from 1025 women and 703 men in the community-based Hordaland Health Study examined at the mean age of 42 years (baseline) and after a 26-year follow-up. Patients with hypertension at baseline were excluded. Blood pressure (BP) was classified according to European guidelines. Factors associated with incident hypertension were identified in logistic regression analyses. Results: At baseline, women had a lower average BP and a lower prevalence of high-normal BP (19% vs 37%, p