Correction to: Journal of Human Hypertension (2012) 26, 656–663; doi:10.1038/jhh.2011.91; published online 13 October 2011

The authors would like to correct the affiliation of Nobuo Shirahashi, who was included in the acknowledgements.

Therefore, the last sentence of the acknowledgements:

‘Statistical analysis organization: Nobuo Shirahashi (Clinical Epidemiology, Osaka City Graduate School).’

Should read: ’Statistical analysis organization: Nobuo Shirahashi (Novartis Pharma KK).’