The Aetiology of Hypertension

Abstract

Based on a Dissertation read before the Royal Medical Society on Friday, 19th February 1960.

The most common cause of death in this country is vascular disease. While it must be admitted that the incidence of vascular disease, and of the other major disease, cancer, increases with age, it is accepted that these diseases proceed often to a fatal conclusion when the victim is still productive. It has been estimated that if deaths due to the results of vascular disease were preventable, life expectancy might increase by some ten years. Were cancer cured, life expectancy would increase by about 2.5 years.