The Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program
(HDFP)
Objectives:
This program was designed to test the efficacy of
antihypertensive therapy in reducing all-cause mortality in a population-based
study.
Background:
Several studies have indentified elevated arterial
blood pressure as a prominent risk factor for morbidity and mortality from all
causes in general, and cardiovascular disease in particular. However, they were
not designed to determine whether reduction of blood pressure was accompanied
by reduction of disease and death.
Subjects:
A population-based screening in 14 communities
recruited 10,940 hypertensive participants, aged 30-69. They were randomly
assigned to Stepped Care or Referred Care groups within each center by entry
diastolic blood pressure.
Conclusions:
The systematic effective management of hypertension
has a great potential for reducing mortality for the large numbers of people
with high BP in the population, including those with mild hypertension (JAMA
1979; 242:2562-2571).
|