Figure 1.

Flow chart illustrating selection of analytical dataset (n 99 468). Missing BP data comprises: having fewer than two BP measurements at baseline assessment or missing responses to questions on hypertension history. The following BP values were deemed implausible (defined as previously reported (15): systolic BP <70 mm Hg or ≥270 mm Hg, diastolic BP <50 mm Hg or ≥150 mm Hg. Hypertension was defined as self-report of hypertensive medication use, or self-report of a prior diagnosis of hypertension, or mean BP ≥140/90 mm Hg at baseline assessment. Awareness was defined as report of a prior diagnosis of hypertension by a health professional, among those who were hypertensive. Treatment was defined as report of hypertensive medication among those who were aware. Control was defined as mean BP <140/90 mm Hg at baseline assessment, among those who were treated. Hypertensives who were aware and treated but had BP ≥140/90 mm Hg were classified as inadequately treated. The BP diagnostic threshold and treatment targets used are consistent with the UK NICE guidelines for hypertension management during the study period (NICE 2006) and other guidelines such as the USA’s 7th Report of the Joint National Committee on High BP, WHO-International Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Hypertension.¹⁶ BP, blood pressure; NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; UKB, UK Biobank.