In a study of the link between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, a group of white men aged 35 to 64 was followed for five years. At the beginning of the study, each man had his blood pressure measured, and it was classified as either low systolic blood pressure (less than 140 mm Hg) or high blood pressure (140 mm Hg or higher). The following table gives the number of men in each blood pressure category and the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease during the five-year period. Based on these data, which of the following statements is correct?
A)These data are consistent with the idea that there is a link between high blood pressure and death from cardiovascular disease.
B)The mortality rate (proportion of deaths)for men with high blood pressure is five times that of men with low blood pressure.
C)These data probably understate the link between high blood pressure and death from cardiovascular disease, because men will tend to understate their true blood pressure.
D)All of the answer options are correct.

Question

In a study of the link between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, a group of white men aged 35 to 64 was followed for five years. At the beginning of the study, each man had his blood pressure measured, and it was classified as either low systolic blood pressure (less than 140 mm Hg) or high blood pressure (140 mm Hg or higher). The following table gives the number of men in each blood pressure category and the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease during the five-year period.  Based on these data, which of the following statements is correct?
A)These data are consistent with the idea that there is a link between high blood pressure and death from cardiovascular disease. 
B)The mortality rate (proportion of deaths)for men with high blood pressure is five times that of men with low blood pressure. 
C)These data probably understate the link between high blood pressure and death from cardiovascular disease, because men will tend to understate their true blood pressure. 
D)All of the answer options are correct.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data show that a higher proportion of men with high blood pressure died from cardiovascular disease (15/1000) compared to those with low blood pressure (2/1000). This suggests that there is a link between high blood pressure and death from cardiovascular disease. Option B is incorrect because the mortality rate for men with high blood pressure is actually 7.5 times that of men with low blood pressure, not five times. Option C is not supported by the information given in the question as there is no suggestion that men in the study underreported their blood pressure. Option D is incorrect because only option A is correct.

In a Study of the Link Between High Blood Pressure