Swedish hypertension open care retrospective study in men and women (SHOW).

The aim of this retrospective study in primary health care was to study gender differences in blood pressure levels in response to treatment of new onset hypertension. Gender difference in blood pressure control and pharmacological treatment was also recorded. A total of 334 women and 332 men aged ≥50 years and <80 years at baseline, with blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg systolic and/or ≥90 mm Hg were included. Men were younger, had a higher frequency of type II diabetes mellitus and a higher body mass index compared with women at baseline. There was no difference between women and men in systolic blood pressure (SBP) before or after treatment. Women however had a lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) before and after intervention and as a result a higher pulse pressure (PP). Approximately 50% of the patients reached target blood pressure (≤140/90 mm Hg) in both women and men. Beta blocker was the most commonly used antihypertensive treatment in both genders, whereas diuretics were predominately used in women. In conclusion; women and men reached target blood pressure to the same extent but with different antihypertensive treatment strategies. Differences at baseline in risk factor pattern may explain the finding.