[Long-term Pol-MONICA-Warsaw project: pattern of blood pressure among the population and the effects of selected factors on the blood pressure level].

Out of 1800 men and 1800 women being the random sample of population of two Warsaw districts aged 35-64 years, 1309 men and 1337 women (response rate 72.7% and 74.3% were screened in 1984 within the framework of the Pol-MONICA Warsaw Project. Standardized mean values of systolic blood pressure did not differ between men and women but the mean values of diastolic blood pressure were higher in men. Mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased in both sexes with age, however diastolic blood pressure increased only up to age 45-54 years. Prevalence of hypertension according to WHO criteria was higher in men than in women and in both sexes increased with age. Among subjects with hypertension the mild diastolic hypertension was most frequent. The high percentage of subjects with hypertension at screening was not previously detected (47.4% men and 27.6% women). The fact of hypertension detection was not equal with undertaking therapy because 58.9% men and 46.6% women with detected hypertension were never treated. The effectiveness of therapy (achieving goal) was 24% in men and 27.4% in women. The performed multiple regression analysis indicated that Quetelet index and pulse rate were independently related with systolic blood pressure in both sexes and additionally education level, alcohol consumption and HDL-cholesterol concentration in men and age and family history of hypertension in women. As far as the diastolic blood pressure is concerned the Quetelet index, pulse rate and family history were significantly related in both sexes and additionally in men ethanol consumption and HDL-cholesterol concentration.