Questionnaires were mailed to surviving alumni in the 1962/1966 survey when “middle-age” (mean age 45.8 years) hypertension was ascertained from self-reports of physician diagnosis. In an earlier validation study, self-reported hypertension was compared with directly measured blood pressure or treatment for hypertension. Using ≥160 mm Hg systolic and ≥95 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure or a history of treatment for high blood pressure as the criteria for the definition of hypertension at that time, self-reports showed 80% sensitivity and 97% specificity (16).