HYPERTENSION IN A GROUP OF CENTENARIANS

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of hyperten sion in a group of extremely old persons: 73 centenarians resident in Calabria were studied, aged 100 - 110 years, (mean age 102.95 +/- 2.0) , 54 women (73.9 %) and 19 men (26.1 %) in the period January Ist and April 30th, 1994. All the centenarians were visited at their homes. Hy pertensive centenarians were 14 (19.1 %), women 12 (85.7 %) and men 2 (14.3 %). Even if blood pressure progressively increases with age, we have not found it in centenarians. The lesser frequency of hypertensio n in centenarians certainly depends on genetic and constitutional fact ors, but also their way of life and alimentary habits (decreased sodiu m intake, increase of calcium and potassium intake), as we have proven in a recent work, could be determinant. Moreover, the presence of hyp ertensive centenarians might mean that hypertension does not prevent t o reach an age by far above the average, if it is the only risk factor .