Determinants of control of high blood pressure. The Oslo Health Study 2000–2001

Objective: To examine determinants of control of high blood pressure in Oslo, Norway. Methods: The Oslo Health Study 2000–2001, a population‐based survey, included 6301 men and 7645 women born in 1924/25, 1940/41, 1955 and 1960 that were screened for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors. Uncontrolled high blood pressure was defined as systolic >140 mmHg or diastolic >90 mmHg or both. Results: Use of antihypertensive drugs was 4.1% at age 40–45 years, 19.1% at age 60 years and 35.8% at age 75 years. Among pharmacologically treated subjects with diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD), one‐third of subjects aged 40–45 years, over one‐half of those aged 60 years and nearly two‐thirds of those aged 75 years had uncontrolled high blood pressure. These proportions were 8–13 percentage points higher in subjects without diabetes or CVD. Among pharmacologically treated men, younger age, use of statins, body mass index below 25 kg/m 2 , and CVD or diabetes were associated with a lower risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Among treated women, younger age and cigarette smoking were associated with a lower risk (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The presence of CVD or diabetes and the prescription of cholesterol‐lowering statins were independently associated with better control of blood pressure. Non‐smoking women were more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure than their smoking counterparts.