Systolic or diastolic hypertension--which matters most?

Blood pressure was recorded in 2680 people over a period of 17 years. Of 685 deaths, 250 occurred in men over 65 and 148 (58%) were attributed to cardiovascular causes. 219 women over 65 died; 157 (72%) from cardiovascular causes. For both sexes chi-square values relating death to systolic blood pressure were higher than the values for diastolic pressure. (Ed.)