Hypertension in a group of centenarians

Summary m of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of hypertension 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 1st and April 30th, 1994. All the centenarians were visited at their homes. Hypertensive 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 hypertension in centenarians certainly depends on genetic and constitutional factors, but also their way of life and alimentary habits (decreased sodium intake, increase of calcium and potassium intake), as we have proven in a recent work, could be determinant. Moreover, the presence of hypertensive centenarians might mean that hypertension does not prevent to reach an age by far above the average, if it is the only risk factor.