§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what study he has made of the findings of the Office of Health Economics that 12,000 deaths could be avoided in Great Britain if men between the ages of 50 and 65 years were screened, and treated where necessary, for high blood pressure; and if he will make a statement on any steps that are planned;
202W(2) what study he has made of the Office of Health Economics briefing on mild hypertension; if he accepts the general findings; what steps he intends taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThere has been much discussion, to which the Office of Health Economics Briefing is a further contribution, of the benefits and costs of special measures to identify and treat cases of hypertension. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhanpton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 2 December—[Vol. 995, c.175–6.]—many doctors already take the opportunity to record blood pressures, and initiate treatment if necessary, when they are consulted by males in this age group. I am advised that the benefits of additional measures which might be taken to identify hypertensive patients have not been conclusively demonstrated and for the present we do not propose any special steps. There is an acknowledged need for further study of the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension, and this is currently the subject of a long-term clinical trial by the Medical Research Council.