Predictors of Blood Pressure and Hypertension in Tecumseh, Michigan

Correlates of present blood pressure status are analyzed in 576 subjects (271 males, average age 32 years) in Tecumseh, Michigan. In addition to the current values, anthropometric and blood pressure data are available when the subjects were, on average, 6.9 and 22.2 years of age. Data on 351 fathers and 368 mothers when they were, on average, 32 years old are also available.Moderate, but significant correlations were found between present and past blood pressure and between past weight or skinfold thickness and the present blood pressure. These correlations were much weaker for childhood values than for values at age 22. When multiple regression techniques were used with blood pressure values at age 22 and parental values as independent variables, 40% of the present systolic blood pressure variance could be explained.Prediction of present hypertension status (blood pressure > 140 and/or 90 mm Hg) was evaluated by discriminant analysis. Three variables (weight at age 22, systolic blood pressure at age 22, ...