Hypertension in People Over Forty

In a previous communication we1intimated that the incidence of hypertension in the general population over 40 and 50 was higher than was generally appreciated. This has been confirmed in preliminary reports2on the incidence of hypertension in workers over 40 and in general hospital patients. In this report we now summarize the blood pressure readings in nearly 15,000 men and women over the age of 40. The problem of hypertension is a fundamental one. Together with coronary sclerosis it is the most common form of heart disease and probably is the largest single cause of death. This is doubly so if only those over 40 are considered. Furthermore, hypertension is important in respect to the role it plays in other diseases, e. g. arteriosclerosis of the cerebral, renal and coronary vessels. The incidence of hypertension in persons over 40 has become increasingly important because there are now