Abstract

This study compared young and old hypertensive and normotensive subjects with respect to the number of symptoms reported on the Cornell Medical Index (CMI). The hypertensive subjects had more physical and psychological complaints than did the normotensive subjects. Differences in symptoms reported between the blood pressure groups were not concentrated in one specific category (e.g., cardiovascular) but were distributed over several categories. Age did not influence the number of symptoms reported for either blood pressure group. The results were discussed in the context of the lack of specificity of symptoms reported by hypertensive subjects, and to what extent reported symptoms on the CMI are influenced by knowledge of one's blood pressure status.