Hypertension as a risk factor for cardiac events--epidemiologic results of long-term studies.

Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, which imparts a threefold increased risk over that of normotensive persons the same age. It accelerates atherogenesis-promoting premature coronary disease, now its most common sequela. The effect of elevated blood pressure on cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in general and on coronary disease incidence in particular is independent of the influence of other predisposing atherogenic cofactors but is greatly affected by them. Elevated blood pressure is more often than usual associated with hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, excessive weight, elevated fibrinogen, and electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, which enhance its impact. Hypertensive coronary candidates usually have an increased low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) cholesterol ratio, impaired glucose tolerance. ECG abnormalities, or a cigarette smoking habit. These coexisting risk factors exert a greater influence than the character of the blood pressure elevation. Those at risk for hypertensive stroke have left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure, coronary disease, diabetes, or a cigarette habit. Cardiovascular risk ratios for hypertension diminish with advancing age, but this is offset by a higher absolute risk, making hypertension an important precursor of cardiovascular disease in the elderly.