Blodtrykksproblemer

Summary

Screening tests have shown that essential hypertension is a very frequent problem, and there is a strong correlation between raised blood pressure and mortality. Even moderately raised blood pressure will reduce expected life-span, and studies has shown a good correlation between blood pressure and the appearance of cardiovascular complications. Observations in Oslo on approximately 300 subjects over the last 30 years confirm this. About 5% of the adults in Norway need treatment for increased blood pressure, and it has also been shown that men with diastolic pressure above 105 mmHg have benefited from treatment. If it is proven that subjects with a diastolic pressure of between 95 to 104 mmHg benefit from treatment, then about 20% of adults should have antihypertensive treatment.

Screening tests will supply an increasing number of hypertensive subjects. Today, however, only half of those who need it have some form of treatment, and only a quarter have adequate treatment. It is considered essential to strengthen and develop the existing routines for follow-up and control of this group. Priority should be given to basic and plain examinations when examining the hypertensive patient, partly for reasons of economy, and the importance is stressed of the medical examination, patient and family medical history and conscientious recordings of blood pressure. X-ray examination as a reference for later development has proved helpful, but further X-ray and laboratory tests should be radically cut down. Before thiazide treatment, it is preferable that glucose tolerance, uric acid and serum potassium should be checked. Treatment should be carried out as a part of the primary health service, with all possible help and support being given by the specialists in internal medicine.