BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of anxiety and depression on blood pressure is unclear. AIMS: To examine the prospective association of anxiety and depression with change in blood pressure in a general population. METHOD: Data on 36 530 men and women aged 20-78 years participating in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) in Norway in 1984-86 were re-examined 11 years later. RESULTS: A high symptom level of anxiety and depression at baseline predicted low systolic blood pressure (