Prevalence of secondary hypertension in a population sample of Swedish women

In a comprehensive population study of 1462 women aged 38–60in Goteborg, Sweden, the prevalence of secondary hypertensionwas estimated to be 0.8% of the total population sample and4.6% of those who were hypertensive (defined as systolic bloodpressure > 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 95 mmHgor both or antihypertensive treatment irrespective of bloodpressure levels). These figures were based on thorough clinicaland laboratory investigations and a follow-up period of 12 years.Women with arterial hypertension reported a history of toxaemiaof pregnancy and a family history of hypertension more oftenthan non-hypertensive women. In comparison with non-hypertensivewomen, in both untreated and treated hypertensive women, serumuric acid, urinary methoxycatecholamine excretion, body weightand the prevalence of albuminuria were increased and serum potassiumdecreased (statistically significant differences).