Facts and Fallacies Regarding the Blood Pressure of Different Regional and Racial Groups

The blood pressure cuff reveals higher values in complex societies than in simpler social environments. Evaluation of the importance of this fact necessitates a more exact use of such terms as "high blood pressure" or "hypertensive disease' as applied to an individual, and "mean blood pressure" or "incidence of hypertension" as applied to groups. The inadequacies of the cuff method of blood pressure determination are particularly evident in group studies. From the available facts, a few cautious conclusions may be drawn.