The prevalence of high blood pressure increases with age, is greater for blacks than whites, and is greater for both races in the less educated and lower socioeconomic groups. Nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, and renal disease.
Mortality increases progressively with higher levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
No smoking, caffeine, or excessive exercise 30 minutes before measurement. Measurement should be made 5 minutes after restful adjustment to the surroundings. Two or more measurements should be averaged. The following is the suggested history, physical evaluation, and diagnostic testing that should be performed and recorded on the SF 600. Note any symptoms from the elevated blood pressure.