Value of blood-pressure measurement in relatives of hypertensive patients.

First-degree relatives of hypertensive patients are more likely to comply with a request to visit their general practitioner for a screening blood-pressure measurement than are the relatives of normotensive controls. On average they have higher blood-pressure levels and are more likely to be started on treatment as a result of screening. In the majority of cases treatment can be maintained long-term and blood pressure falls to acceptable levels. The relatives of people already on treatment for hypertension include a high proportion of potential candidates for treatment, and screening of this group may be worth while.