In a Study of the Link Between High Blood Pressure

Multiple Choice

In a study of the link between high blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease, a group of white males 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:
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$$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | } \hline & \text { Deaths } & \text { Total } \\\hline \text { Low BP } & 10 & 2000 \\\hline \text { High BP } & 50 & 3500 \\\hline\end{array}$$ 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 for men with low blood pressure.
C) The data probably understate the link between high blood pressure and death from cardiovascular disease since men will tend to understate their true blood pressure.