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The authors report results from medical screening for hypertension carried out on the entire adult population (aged greater than 20 years) of the county of Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. Previously undiagnosed hypertensives in need of medical treatment (n = 173), false positives (n = 233) and patients in need of continued blood pressure monitoring (n = 474) were followed up 10 to 36 months after the screening. This group was compared with a random population sample of known hypertensives (n = 206), patients previously treated for hypertension (n = 118) and normotensives (n = 2,326). No significant differences in changes in quality of life (subjective well-being) were observed between the two groups from screening to follow-up. However, negative events in life and chronic stresses other than the fact of becoming sick induced a deterioration of quality of life. Positive events induced an improvement in quality of life.

Several studies have shown higher rates of absenteeism from work among hypertensives who are aware of their condition than among hypertensives who have no such knowledge or among normotensives. This seems to be the result of labelling rather than of the hypertension itself. The results of studies of the effect of labelling and awareness on quality of life are ambiguous. Follow-up by health professionals in terms of reassurance and support often seems to alleviate adverse psychosocial effects of labelling.