Objective: To explore the impact of high-normal blood pressure on the risk of cardiovascular disease in different sexes in China.
Methods: A cohort baseline study was carried out among 27 739 subjects (age 35 approximately 64 years) to survey the general demographic data, smoking status, blood pressure, blood lipids, height, weight, was circumference, and hip circumference. By the end of each year, a follow-up was made until 31 December 1999 to all 27 739 persons to record the events of cardiocerebrovascular diseases and deaths. No intervention was made to the cohort population during follow-up. Cox regression model was used to carry out multifactoral analysis of the relationship between normal high blood pressure and risk of cardiocerebrovascular diseases.
Results: (1) The high-normal blood pressure rate was 13.4% (14.8% for males and 11.8% for females) in this cohort. (2) Those with high normal blood pressure had more risk factors of cardiocerebrovascular diseases than those with ideal blood pressure. (3) During follow-up, the yearly standardized incidence rates of coronary heart diseases, cerebral apoplexy, and cardiocerebrovascular diseases were significantly higher among those with high normal blood pressure than among those with ideal blood pressure. (P < 0.000 1). (4) The relative risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease was 2.8765 among those with high normal blood pressure (95% CI 2.050 6 - 4.035 1 P < 0.000 1), 3.234 6 among males (95% CI 2.113 1 - 4.951 2, P < 0.000 1) and 2.335 0 among females (95% CI 1.318 3 - 4.135 9, P < 0.000 1).
Conclusion: The relative risk of cardiovascular disease was significant higher among those with high normal blood pressure than those with ideal blood pressure in 11 provinces in China. The necessity of lowering high-normal blood pressure to reduce CVD need to be evaluated.