ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES AFFECTING ARTERIAL PRESSURE IN MALES IN THE SEVENTH DECADE

Abstract

Measurements of arterial pressure in 1045 representative men in the seventh decade are used to examine its relation to age, social class (as indicated by occupation), physical and mental demands of occupation, and smoking habits. It is shown that both systolic and diastolic pressures tend to rise as economic and social circumstances become progressively less favorable; they are lower in smokers than in non-smokers. There is no evidence that arterial pressures are related to the physical or mental demands of employment.