Hypertension is the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, but many individuals are underdiagnosed and lack treatment control. High blood pressure (BP) in the emergency department (ED) is commonly observed, but mostly used for short-term evaluation. We aimed to study the usefulness of high BP in the ED as a screening tool for undiagnosed hypertension. We used the electronic medical record system to identify all patients that had attended the ED at a university hospital from 2018-01-01 to 2018-03-31 and from 2018-07-01 to 2018-09-30 with an obtained systolic BP ≥ 160 and/or diastolic BP ≥ 100 mmHg measured at the ED. We excluded patients with previously diagnosed hypertension and patients on BP-lowering medication. All patients identified where contacted two years after attending the ED, with a letter of consent and a questionnaire regarding diagnosis of hypertension and current medication. 5424 patients attended the ED during the 6-months-period. 271 patients met the inclusion criteria and were asked to participate. 167 individuals (62

OBJECTIVE:A pilot study to evaluate a staff training intervention implementing a nurse-led hypertension care model. DESIGN AND SETTING:Clinical and laboratory data from all primary care centres (PCCs) in the Swedish region Västra Götaland (VGR), retrieved from regional registers. Intervention started 2018 in 11 PCCs. A total of 190 PCCs served as controls. Change from baseline was assessed 2 years after start of intervention. INTERVENTION:Training of selected personnel, primarily in drug choice, team-based care, measurement techniques, and use of standardized medical treatment protocols. PATIENTS:Hypertensive patients without diabetes or ischemic heart disease were included. The intervention and control groups contained approximately 10,000 and 145,000 individuals, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mmHg, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) <3.0 mmol/L, BP ending on -0 mmHg (digit preference, an indirect sign of manual measuring technique), choice of antihypertensive drugs, cholesterol lowering therapy and attendance patterns were measured. RESULTS:In the intervention group, the percentage of patients reaching the BP target did not change significantly, 56%-61% (control 50%-52%), non-significant. However, the percentage of patients with LDL-C < 3.0 mmol/L increased from 34%-40% (control 36%-36%), p = .043, and digit preference decreased, 39%-27% (control 41%-35%), p = 0.000. The number of antihypertensive drugs was constant, 1.63 - 1.64 (control 1.62 - 1.62), non-significant, but drug choice changed in line with recommendations. CONCLUSION:Although this primary care intervention based on staff training failed to improve BP control, it resulted in improved cardiovascular control by improved cholesterol lowering treatment.

Aims Most studies of treatment adherence after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are based on prescribed drugs and lack long-term follow-up or consecutive data on risk factor control. We studied the long-term treatment adherence, risk factor control, and its association to recurrent ACS and death.Methods and results We retrospectively included 3765 patients (mean age 75 years, 40% women) with incident ACS from 1 January 2006 until 31 December 2010 from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database of Skaraborg. All patients were followed until 31 December 2014 or death. We recorded blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), recurrent ACS, and death. We used data on dispensed drugs to calculate the proportion of days covered for secondary prevention medications. Cox regressions were used to analyse the association of achieved BP and LDL-C to recurrent ACS and death. The median follow-up time was 4.8 years. The proportion of patients that reached BP of <140/90 mm Hg was 58% at Year 1 and 66% at Year 8. 65% of the patients reached LDL-C of <2.5 mmol/L at Year 1 and 56% at Year 8; however, adherence to statins varied from 43% to 60%. Only 62% of the patients had yearly measured BP, and only 28% yearly measured LDL-C. Systolic BP was not associated with a higher risk of recurrent ACS or death. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 3.0 mmol/L was associated with a higher risk of recurrent ACS {hazard ratio [HR] 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.40]} and death HR [1.26 (95% CI 1.08-1.47)] compared with an LDL-C of 1.8 mmol/L.Conclusion This observational long-term real-world study demonstrates low drug adherence and potential for improvement of risk factors after ACS. Furthermore, the study confirms that uncontrolled LDL-C is associated with adverse outcome even in this older population.Lay summary In this real-world retrospective observational study, we followed 3765 elderly patients for up to 8 years after incident acute coronary syndrome.center dot Only a low proportion of the studied population had yearly measured blood pressure and cholesterol, a low proportion had satisfied risk factor control (blood pressure and cholesterol), and adherence to secondary prevention medication was low.center dot In this elderly population (mean age 75 years), higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with a higher risk of recurrent coronary event and death.

Reninoma - rare juxtaglomerular tumor associated with hypertension We present a case study of two female patients, aged 20-30 years, who were diagnosed with reninoma, a rare juxtaglomerular tumor associated with hypertension, high plasma renin and hypokalemia. Both patients were referred to the Department of Internal Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, but their cases were ten years apart. In both instances, the renin-secreting tumor was surgically removed, resulting in the normalization of blood pressure without the need for antihypertensive medication. Based on our findings, we recommend physicians interested in hypertension to analyze plasma renin levels before starting antihypertensive treatment in young patients. Additionally, we suggest performing an MRI of the kidneys followed by renal vein catheterization, which can confirm but not exclude the presence of a reninoma. It is important to note that treatment with RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) blockers may mask the effects of reninoma on blood pressure and potassium levels. Since RAAS blockers are contraindicated during pregnancy, it is of particular importance to diagnose reninoma in young women of childbearing age.

Objective: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely recommended for analgetic and antipyretic indications due to its perceived high safety. However, studies have shown contradicting results regarding the effect of paracetamol on blood pressure (BP). We aimed to study how regular paracetamol use could affect BP control in patients on antihypertensive mediation. Design and method: Data for 42 511 patients attending primary care and a documented diagnosis of hypertension before 2007 (to rule out new onset of hypertension) and with 1 or more BP measurements recorded 2007–2008 were collected from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database (SPCCD). There were 8 367 paracetamol users, defined as 1 or more dispensed prescriptions 6 months prior to the last BP recorded, and 34 144 non-users of paracetamol. Target BP was set to <140/90 mm Hg. Dose-response relationships were examined by the number of defined daily doses (DDD) dispensed. Multivariate linear regression analyses accounted for potential confounders. Results: Paracetamol users were older, had higher creatinine levels, more often diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal diseases, and lower educational level than non-users (all P < 0.001), but attained target systolic and diastolic BP to similar degrees (58 and 93% vs 58 and 92%, respectively). There were no relations between number of DDD and systolic and diastolic BP in paracetamol users, also when DDD deciles were evaluated to account for the low proportion of patients with high DDD dispensed (all R 2 <0.001). Sensitivity analyses including dispensed prescriptions of paracetamol 3 months before and 6 months after the first BP measurement provided similar results. Paracetamol had no impact on attaining target BP in subgroup analyses on patients with diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, with concomitant use of NSAID, or in relation to number of antihypertensive medications (suggesting severity of hypertensive disease). Conclusions: Concomitant use of paracetamol does not impair the ability to reach target BP in hypertensive patients. No dose-response relationship was observed between dispensed prescriptions of paracetamol and BP.

Antihypertensive treatment is equally beneficial for reducing cardiovascular risk in both men and women. Despite this, the drug treatment, prevalence and control of hypertension differ between men and women. Men and women respond differently, particularly with respect to the risk of adverse events, to many antihypertensive drugs. Certain antihypertensive drugs may also be especially beneficial in the setting of certain comorbidities – of both cardiovascular and extracardiac nature – which also differ between men and women. Furthermore, hypertension in pregnancy can pose a considerable therapeutic challenge for women and their physicians in primary care. In addition, data from population-based studies and from real-world data are inconsistent regarding whether men or women attain hypertension-related goals to a higher degree. In population-based studies, women with hypertension have higher rates of treatment and controlled blood pressure than men, whereas real-world, primary-care data instead show better blood pressure control in men. Men and women are also treated with different antihypertensive drugs: women use more thiazide diuretics and men use more angiotensin-enzyme inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers. This narrative review explores these sex-related differences with guidance from current literature. It also features original data from a large, Swedish primary-care register, which showed that blood pressure control was better in women than men until they reached their late sixties, after which the situation was reversed. This age-related decrease in blood pressure control in women was not, however, accompanied by a proportional increase in use of antihypertensive drugs and female sex was a significant predictor of less intensive antihypertensive treatment.

Objective: Hypertension is the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, but many individuals are not diagnosed and lack treatment control. High blood pressure (BP) in the emergency department (ED) is commonly observed but mostly used for short-term evaluation. We aimed to study the usefulness of high BP in the ED as a screening tool for undiagnosed hypertension. Design and method: We used the electronic medical record system to identify all patients that had attended the ED at a university hospital from 2018–01–01 to 2018–03–31 and from 2018-07-01 to 2018-09-30 with an obtained BP > = 160/100 mm Hg measured in the ED. We excluded patients with previously diagnosed hypertension and patients on any BP-lowering medication. All patients identified where contacted two years after attending the ED, by mail with a letter of consent and a questionnaire with the following question: 1. Have you measured your BP after your visit to the ED? 2. Have you been diagnosed with hypertension? 3. If yes – what kind of BP-medication has been prescribed? Results: 5424 patients attended the ED during the 6-months-period. 2625 patients were excluded due to a BP < 160/100 mm Hg, 1365 patients were excluded because of present BP-lowering medication, 523 patients were excluded because no BP was recorded, and 638 patients were deceased. A total of 271 patients were identified as suitable for the study and asked to participate. 167 individuals (62%) agreed to participate in the study and responded the questionnaire. Mean age of participants were 63,8 years and 50,2% were women. 135 patients (81%) had measured their BP after the ED-visit (question 1), and 48 (36%) of those had been diagnosed with hypertension (question 2). 96% of patients diagnosed with hypertension were on BP-lowering medication and 28% were on 2 or more different BP-lowering agents. Conclusions: To follow-up BP > = 160/100 mm Hg after an ED-visit can reveal undiagnosed hypertension in one third of the patients. Given the amount of undiagnosed hypertension, an ED-measured BP might provide an important tool with potential to detect and start treatment of hypertension.

In this prospective study in Swedish elderly men, PAD based on an ABI < 0.9 was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, independent of age and hip BMD. However, after further adjustments for comorbidity, medications, physical function, and socioeconomic factors, the association diminished and was no longer statistically significant. To examine if peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture in men independent of hip BMD. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was assessed in the Swedish MrOS (Osteoporotic Fractures in Men) study, a prospective observational study including 3014 men aged 69–81 years at baseline. PAD was defined as ABI < 0.90. Incident fractures were assessed in computerized X-ray archives. The risk for hip fractures was calculated using Cox proportional hazard models. At baseline, BMD was assessed using DXA (Lunar Prodigy and Hologic QDR 4500) and functional measurements and blood samples were collected. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect information about medical history, falls, and medication. During 10 years of follow-up, 186 men had an incident hip fracture. The hazard ratio (HR) for hip fracture in men with PAD was 1.70 (95% CI 1.14–2.54), adjusted for age and study site. Additional adjustment for total hip BMD marginally affected this association (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.10–2.45). In a final multivariate model, the HR attenuated to a non-significant HR 1.38 (95% CI 0.91–2.11) adjusted for age, site, hip BMD, BMI, falls, smoking, eGFR, handgrip strength, walking speed, former hip fracture, antihypertensive treatment, diabetes, education, and history of cardiovascular disease. This study suggests that PAD is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture independently of hip BMD in elderly Swedish men. However, the high frequency of comorbidity and lower physical performance among men with PAD might partly explain this association.

AIMS To describe 8-year trends in blood pressure (BP) control, blood lipid control, and smoking habits in patients with hypertension from QregPV, a primary care register in the Region of Västra Götaland, Sweden. METHODS AND RESULTS QregPV features clinical data on BP, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and smoking habits in 392 277 patients with hypertension or coronary heart disease or diabetes mellitus or any combination of the three diagnoses. Data from routine clinical practice have been automatically reported on a monthly basis to QregPV from all primary care centres in Västra Götaland (population 1.67 million) since 2010. Additional data on diagnoses, dispensed drugs and socioeconomic factors were acquired through linkage to regional and national registers. We identified 259 753 patients with hypertension, but without coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus, in QregPV. From 2010 to 2017, the proportion of patients with BP <140/90 mmHg increased from 38.9% to 49.1%, while the proportion of patients with LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L increased from 19.7% to 21.1% and smoking decreased from 15.7% to 12.3%. However, in 2017, only 10.0% of all patients with hypertension had attained target levels of BP <140/90 mmHg, LDL-C < 2.6 mmol/L while being also non-smokers. The remaining 90.0% were still exposed to at least one uncontrolled, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS These regionwide data from eight consecutive years in 259 753 patients with hypertension demonstrate a large potential for risk factor improvement. An increased use of statins and antihypertensive drugs should, in addition to lifestyle modifications, decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.

Abstract Background Most secondary prevention studies after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have relatively short follow-up time, and less is known about long-term risk factor control in patients after ACS. Purpose We aimed to study and describe the long-term risk factor control, treatment adherence and outcome after ACS. Methods We identified 3765 patients (mean age 75 years, 40% women) with an incident ACS between 2006 and 2010 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. All participants were followed from index ACS until 31 December 2014 or death. We annually recorded blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), dispensed prescription of drugs, recurrent ACS, and death. Data were collected from electronic medical records at the primary care centres, the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, the Swedish Patient Register, and the Cause of Death Register. We calculated annually proportion of days covered (PDC) for secondary prevention medication. PDC value of ≥80% was considered cut off for medication adherence. Results The median follow-up time was 4.8 years (min 1.8 and max 8.0). 1890 new ACS-events were recorded during the follow up; the annual incidence of recurrent ACS was 17.3%, 12.9%, 8.9%, 8.0%, 7.6%, 6.5%, 5.2%, and 5.0% (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). 1859 (49.4%) patients died during the follow up. The annual incidence of death was 19.9%, 7.9%, 7.1%, 8.3%, 7.9%, 8.2%, 6.7%, and 6.4% (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). The annual proportion of patients that achieved the blood pressure target <140/90 mm Hg was 57.8%, 60.9%, 62.7%, 63.3%, 64.9%, 63.1%, 62.4%, and 66.1% (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). The annual mean number of antihypertensive medications for each patient was 1.5, 1.3, 1.3, 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 1.4, and 1.5 (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). The annual proportion of patients that achieved LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L was 23.1%, 21.7%, 19.8%, 18.2%, 15.7%, 19.6%, 18.3%, and 16.7% (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). The annual proportion of patients in treatment with statins was 55.3%, 57.5%, 58.7%, 59.2%, 63.0%, 63.7%, 64.1%, and 67.7% (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). The annual proportion of patients in treatment with acetylsalicylic acid was 79.6%, 76.4%, 76.2%, 78.9%, 78.3%, 79.2%, and 80.8% % (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). The annual proportion of patients in treatment with P2Y12-inhibitors was 24.3%, 7.2%, 5.4%, 6.0%, 7.2%, 8.1%, 7.9% and 8.2% (for year 1 to year 8 respectively). Conclusion This retrospective long-term real-world study from primary care demonstrates a large potential for improvement of risk factor control in patients after ACS. More specific, this study demonstrates underutilized treatment with antihypertensive medication and statins, while adherence to antiplatelet therapy was found to be high. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Astra Zeneca

Objective:To assess the risk of haemorrhagic stroke at different baseline SBP levels in a primary care population with hypertension, atrial fibrillation and newly initiated oral anticoagulants (OACs).Methods:We identified 3972 patients with hypertension, atrial fibrillation and newly initiated OAC in The Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database of Skaraborg. Patients were followed from 1 January 2006 until a first event of haemorrhagic stroke, death, cessation of OAC or 31 December 2016. We analysed the association between continuous SBP and haemorrhagic stroke with a multivariable Cox regression model and plotted the hazard ratio as a function of SBP with a restricted cubic spline with 130 mmHg as reference.Results:There were 40 cases of haemorrhagic stroke during follow-up. Baseline SBP in the 145-180 mmHg range was associated with a more than doubled risk of haemorrhagic stroke, compared with a SBP of 130 mmHg.Conclusion:In this cohort of primary care patients with hypertension and atrial fibrillation, we found that baseline SBP in the 145-180 mmHg range, prior to initiation of OAC, was associated with a more than doubled risk of haemorrhagic stroke, as compared with an SBP of 130 mmHg. This suggests that lowering SBP to below 145 mmHg, prior to initiation of OAC, may decrease the risk of haemorrhagic stroke in patients with hypertension and atrial fibrillation.

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between body mass index (BMI) in young women, using weight early in pregnancy as a proxy for pre-pregnancy weight, and risk for early cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Methods and results In this prospective, registry-based study, we used weight data in early pregnancy from women, registered in the Swedish Medical Birth Registry, and who gave birth between 1982 and 2014 (n = 1,495,499; median age 28.3 years). Of the women, 118,212 (7.9%) were obese (BMI >= 30 kg/m(2)) and 29,630 (2.0%) severely obese (BMI >= 35 kg/m(2)). After a follow-up of median 16.3 years, we identified 3295 and 4375 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and ischemic stroke (IS) corresponding to 13.4 and 17.8 per 100,000 observation years, respectively, occurring at mean ages of 49.8 and 47.3 years. Compared to women with a BMI 20-<22.5 kg/m(2), the hazard ratio (HR) of AMI increased with higher BMI from 1.40 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-1.54) among women with BMI 22.5-<25.0 kg/m(2) to 4.71 (95% CI 3.88-5.72) among women with severe obesity, with similar findings for IS and CVD death, after adjustment for age, pregnancy year, parity and comorbidities at baseline. Women with BMI 30-<35.0 and >= 35 kg/m(2) had increased all-cause mortality with adjusted HR 1.53 (95% CI 1.43-1.63) and 1.83 (95% CI 1.63-2.05), respectively. Conclusion A significant increase in the risk for early AMI, IS and CVD death was noticeable in overweight young women, with a marked increase in obese women.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the relation between socioeconomic status and achievement of target blood pressure in hypertension. DESIGN:Retrospective longitudinal cohort study between 2001 and 2014. SETTING:Primary health care in Skaraborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS:48,254 patients all older than 30 years, and 53.3% women, with diagnosed hypertension. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Proportion of patients who achieved a blood pressure target <140/90 mmHg in relation to the country of birth, personal disposable income, and educational level. RESULTS:Patients had a lower likelihood of achieving the blood pressure target if they were born in a Nordic country outside Sweden [risk ratio 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-0.97], or born in Europe outside the Nordic countries (risk ratio 0.87; 95% CI 0.82-0.92), compared to those born in Sweden. Patients in the lowest income quantile had a lower likelihood to achieve blood pressure target, as compared to the highest quantile (risk ratio 0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.96). Educational level was not associated with outcome. Women but not men in the lowest income quantile were less likely to achieve the blood pressure target. There was no sex difference in achieved blood pressure target with respect to the country of birth or educational level. CONCLUSION:In this real-world population of primary care patients with hypertension in Sweden, being born in a foreign European country and having a lower income were factors associated with poorer blood pressure control.KEY POINTSThe association between socioeconomic status and achieving blood pressure targets in hypertension has been ambiguous.•In this study of 48,254 patients with hypertension, lower income was associated with a reduced likelihood to achieve blood pressure control.•Being born in a foreign European country is associated with a lower likelihood to achieve blood pressure control.•We found no association between educational level and achieved blood pressure control.

OBJECTIVE:In this study we aimed to estimate the effect of diabetes, educational level and income on the risk of mortality and cardiovascular events in primary care patients with hypertension.METHODS:We followed 62,557 individuals with hypertension diagnosed 2001-2008, in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Study outcomes were death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke, assessed using national registers until 2012. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios of outcomes according to diabetes status, educational level, and income.RESULTS:During follow-up, 13,231 individuals died, 9981 were diagnosed with diabetes, 4431 with myocardial infarction, and 4433 with ischemic stroke. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for diabetes versus no diabetes: mortality 1.57 (1.50-1.65), myocardial infarction 1.24 (1.14-1.34), and ischemic stroke 1.17 (1.07-1.27). Hazard ratios for diabetes and ≤9 years of school versus no diabetes and >12 years of school: mortality 1.56 (1.41-1.73), myocardial infarction 1.36 (1.17-1.59), and ischemic stroke 1.27 (1.08-1.50). Hazard ratios for diabetes and income in the lowest fifth group versus no diabetes and income in the highest fifth group: mortality 3.82 (3.36-4.34), myocardial infarction 2.00 (1.66-2.42), and ischemic stroke 1.91 (1.58-2.31).CONCLUSIONS:Diabetes combined with low income was associated with substantial excess risk of mortality, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke among primary care patients with hypertension.

Objective: Hypertension and fractures related to osteoporosis are major public health problems that often coexist. This study examined the associations between exposure to different antihypertensive drug classes and the risk of hip fracture in hypertensive patients. Method: We included 59 246 individuals, 50 years and older, diagnosed with hypertension during 2001–2008 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Patients were followed from 1 January 2006 (or the date of diagnosis of hypertension) until they had their first hip fracture, died, or reached the end of the study on 31 December 2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the risk of hip fracture across types of antihypertensive medications, adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, medications, and socioeconomic factors. Results: In total, 2593 hip fractures occurred. Compared to nonusers, current use of bendroflumethiazide or hydrochlorothiazide was associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 0.86; 95% CI 0.75–0.98 and hazard ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.74–0.96, respectively), as was use of fixed drug combinations containing a thiazide (hazard ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.57–0.83). Current use of loop diuretics was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 1.23; 95% CI 1.11–1.35). No significant associations were found between the risk of hip fracture and current exposure to beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone-receptor blockers or calcium channel blockers. Conclusion: In this large observational study of hypertensive patients, the risk of hip fracture differed across users of different antihypertensive drugs, results that could have practical implications when choosing antihypertensive drug therapy.

Abstract Background Haemorrhagic stroke (HS) is a serious condition that kills and debilitates many of those afflicted by it. Hypertension and oral anticoagulation (OAC) are independent risk factors for HS. Many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have hypertension and OAC. The concomitance of hypertension and OAC confers an even higher risk of haemorrhagic stroke, but less is known about the association between specific blood pressure levels and the risk of HS in patients with AF and OAC. Purpose To assess the risk of haemorrhagic stroke at different systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels in a primary care population with hypertension, AF and OAC. Methods We identified 3972 patients with hypertension, AF and OAC in a primary care database in southern Sweden. We followed patients from Jan 1, 2006 until a first event of HS, death, cessation of OAC or Dec 31, 2016. HS was defined as ICD-10 diagnosis codes: I60, I61, and I62. We analysed the association between SBP levels and HS by dividing SBP into five categories: <130, 130–139, 140–159, 160–179 and ≥180 mmHg. We also fitted a spline curve to visualise the relationship between SBP and HS. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for the SBP categories with a Cox proportional hazards model. The 130–139 group was used as a reference in the model. We identified age, sex, previous stroke, platelet inhibitor treatment, alcohol abuse and smoking as possible confounders with a directed acyclic graph and included them as co-variates in the model. Results We identified 51 cases of HS during follow-up. In the categorical analysis of SBP, point estimates of HRs for HS increased gradually from the lowest SBP category to the 160–179 category. Only the 160–179 category had a significantly different HR (3.76, CI 1.56–9.04) than the reference 130–139 category, however. See Table 1. No other co-variates were significantly associated with HS. The spline curve, Figure 1, illustrates a significantly increased HR for HS in the 140–175 SBP range. Conclusions In this real-world primary care cohort with hypertension, AF and OAC, we found that SBP in the 160–179 mmHg range was significantly associated with an increased risk of haemorrhagic stroke. Our findings emphasise the importance of blood pressure control in this patient category. Figure 1. Continuous and categorical SBP & HS risk Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The study was financed by grants from the Swedish state under the agreement between the Swedish government and the country councils, the ALF-agreement.

Objectives The protective effect of lipid-lowering treatment for secondary prevention after coronary heart disease (CHD) has been well documented. Current guidelines recommend a target level for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of ≤1.8 mmol/L. The aim was to describe lipid-lowering treatment patterns and to provide an estimate of the potential reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD) events with improved adherence to guidelines. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Primary care in a large Swedish region. Participants 37 120 patients with CHD in a Swedish regional primary care quality register (QregPV), by 31 December 2015. Primary and secondary outcome measures Proportion of patients on statin treatment and proportion of patients achieving LDL-C ≤1.8 mmol/L. Estimated number of CVD events calculated for (1) current treatment, (2) improved treatment and (3) lowered LDL-C, based on applying rate reductions from meta-analyses of randomised trials to the potentially undertreated population. Risk estimation modelling was based on 52 042 patients in the same register on January 2011 followed for 5 years. Results Of 37 120 patients, 18% reached LDL-C ≤1.8 mmol/L and 32% were not on statin treatment. Based on individual risks, the estimated number of CVD events in the study group over 5 years was 9209/37 120. If all patients without a statin or with less potent statin treatment were given atorvastatin 80 mg, an estimated reduction of CVD events by 14% (7901 vs 9209) was seen. If all patients achieved LDL-C ≤1.8 mmol/L, the number of events was estimated to be reduced by 18% (7577 vs 9209). Conclusion One-third of patients with CHD in primary care were not on lipid-lowering treatment. Based on the assumption that included patients would react to statin therapy the same way as the patients in randomised trials, improved adherence to treatment guidelines could lead to a substantial reduction in new CVD events.

OBJECTIVE Hypertension and fractures related to osteoporosis are major public health problems that often coexist. This study examined the associations between exposure to different antihypertensive drug classes and the risk of hip fracture in hypertensive patients. METHOD We included 59 246 individuals, 50 years and older, diagnosed with hypertension during 2001-2008 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Patients were followed from 1 January 2006 (or the date of diagnosis of hypertension) until they had their first hip fracture, died, or reached the end of the study on 31 December 2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the risk of hip fracture across types of antihypertensive medications, adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, medications, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS In total, 2593 hip fractures occurred. Compared to nonusers, current use of bendroflumethiazide or hydrochlorothiazide was associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 0.86; 95% CI 0.75-0.98 and hazard ratio 0.84; 95% CI 0.74-0.96, respectively), as was use of fixed drug combinations containing a thiazide (hazard ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.57-0.83). Current use of loop diuretics was associated with an increased risk of hip fracture (hazard ratio 1.23; 95% CI 1.11-1.35). No significant associations were found between the risk of hip fracture and current exposure to beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone-receptor blockers or calcium channel blockers. CONCLUSION In this large observational study of hypertensive patients, the risk of hip fracture differed across users of different antihypertensive drugs, results that could have practical implications when choosing antihypertensive drug therapy.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) - nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke - at blood pressure levels that meet current recommendations with risk at lower levels, particularly in older patients.METHODS:We identified patients with hypertension aged 40-90 years from a primary care register. Patients with a history of cancer, diabetes mellitus or CVD were excluded. Patients were divided into age groups (40-75 and 76-90), and four groups of SBP 110-129, 130-139 (reference), 140-149 and ≥150 mmHg. We used the Kaplan-Meier estimator to study incidence of AMI, stroke and a composite of the two. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios for outcomes.RESULTS:We included 31 704 patients: 26 663 were 40-75 years old and 5041 were 76-90 years old. Mean follow-up was 2 years. Although no significant differences in risk of any outcome were found in the younger group, low blood pressure was associated with the lowest risk in the older group. Older patients in the 110-129 mmHg group had a lower incidence of CVD (15.9/1000 vs. 25.3/1000 person-years) than the reference group. After adjustment for covariates, the hazard ratio of CVD in older patients in the 110-129 mmHg group compared with the reference group was 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.40-0.92).CONCLUSION:Blood pressure levels lower than those currently recommended are not harmful among older patients. The association between lower SBP and lesser risk of CVD may instead suggest a beneficial effect of lower SBP.

Abstract Introduction The preventive effect of lipid lowering treatment in secondary prevention after coronary heart disease (CHD) is well documented. In 2015, regional guidelines recommend an LDL cholesterol of ≤1.8 mmol/L for patients with established CHD but the adherence to these guidelines is low. Purpose Our aim was to predict potential reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD) events defined as acute myocardial infarction or stroke if patients: 1) with low-dose/less potent or no statin were treated with Atorvastatin 80 mg, or 2) all reached LDL ≤1.8 mmol/L. Methods In total, 37 120 patients with established CHD in a primary care regional register 2015 were studied. Predicted number of CVD events were calculated with actual treatment, with improved treatment and with lowered LDL. For risk estimation we used data from a Cox Proportional Hazards risk estimation model based on patients from 2010 (n=52 042) in combination with data from the literature on effect of statin treatment and LDL reduction. A risk reduction of 22% for CVD events per 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL was used in our model. The risk prediction model included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, a history of heart failure and/or atrial fibrillations, treatment with acetylic salicylic acid and stroke or AMI past year. Smoking and BMI were excluded due to missing data but sensitivity analysis has shown only small differences in results. Results In total, 18% of included patients reached LDL ≤1.8 mmol/L and 32% had no statin treatment. Based on actual LDL levels and treatments, the predicted number of CVD events over 5 years was 9209/37120. If all patients with no statin or less potent statin treatment had been given atorvastatin 80 mg this would lead to a reduction of CVD events by 14% (7901 vs 9209). The largest gain, 33% reduction, occurred when adding statins to patients without previous treatment (1970 vs 2937). Furthermore, if all patients were to reach LDL ≤1.8 mmol/L the predicted number of events would be reduced by 18% (7577 vs 9209). Conclusion There is a substantial potential to reduce the number of CVD events in the large population of patients with established CHD in primary care by improved adherence to lipid treatment guidelines. Acknowledgement/Funding Närhälsan R&D Health Care, R&D Centre Gothenburg and Södra Bohuslän. the Swedish state under the Agreement concerning research and education of doctor