The level of knowledge in the community of established stroke risk factors, warning signs, and treatment as indicated by this survey suggests that a community-based education program to increase public knowledge of stroke may contribute to reducing the risk of stroke and to increasing the speed of hospital presentation after the onset of stroke.

Abstract-The aim of this study is to describe trends in the awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension; mean blood pressure; and the classification of blood pressure among US adults 2003 to 2012. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2012, a total of 9255 adult participants aged ≥18 years were identified as having hypertension, defined as measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or taking prescription medication for hypertension. Awareness and treatment among hypertensive adults were ascertained via an interviewer administered questionnaire. Controlled hypertension among hypertensive adults was defined as systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg. Blood pressure was categorized as optimal blood pressure, prehypertension, and stage I and stage II hypertension. Between 2003 and 2012, the percentage of adults with controlled hypertension increased (P-trend <0.01).Hypertensive adults with optimal blood pressure and with prehypertension increased from 13% to 19% and 27% to 33%, respectively (P-trend <0.01 for both groups). Among hypertensive adults who were taking antihypertensive medication, uncontrolled hypertension decreased from 38% to 30% (P-trend <0.01). Similarly, a decrease in mean systolic blood pressure was observed (P-trend <0.01); however, mean diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged. The trend in the control of blood pressure has improved among hypertensive adults resulting in a higher percentage with blood pressure at the optimal or prehypertension level and a lower percentage in stage I and stage II hypertension. Overall, mean systolic blood pressure decreased as did the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among the treated hypertensive population. (Hypertension.2015;65:54-61.

The alteration of IL-6 and TGF-beta levels, which occurs rapidly after acute stroke regardless of the subtype, may reflect the changing immunological-inflammatory status of these patients and does not appear to reflect merely the consequence of the brain damage.

NCHS Data BriefEliminating health disparities among different segments of the population is one of two overarching goals of both Healthy People 2010 and 2020 (1). Race/ethnicity differences in health care and chronic diseases have been well documented (2,3). Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes are all chronic conditions associated with cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. The co-occurrence of these three chronic conditions by race/ethnicity has been less frequently documented. In addition, reliance on only self-reported diagnosis results in an underestimate of the prevalence of these conditions. The objective of this report is to compare the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes among three racial/ethnic groups and the prevalence of co-morbidity of these conditions for U.S. adults. Keywords: chronic conditions • hypercholesterolemia • comorbidityDoes hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes vary by race/ethnicity?The prevalence of diagnosed or undiagnosed hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes varies by racial/ethnic group (Figure 1).

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Objectives To gain insight into people's thoughts on stroke and to inform the development of educational strategies in the community.

Background Clear and consistent definitions of hypertension and hypertension control are crucial to guide diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. A variety of surveillance definitions are in frequent use, resulting in variation of reported hypertension prevalence and control, even when based on the same data set. Methods and Results To assess the variety of published surveillance definitions and rates, we performed a literature search for studies and reports that utilized NHANES data from at least as recent as the 2003-2004 survey cycle. We identified 19 studies that used various criteria for defining hypertension and hypertension control, as well as different parameters for age-adjustment and inclusion of subpopulations. This resulted in variation of reported age-standardized hypertension prevalence from 28.9% to 32.1% and hypertension control from 35.1% to 64%. We then assessed the effects of varying the definitions of hypertension and hypertension control, parameters for age-adjustment, and inclusion of subpopulations, on NHANES data both from 2007-2008 (n=5,645) and 2005-2008 (n=10,365). We propose standard surveillance definitions and age-adjustment parameters for hypertension and hypertension control. Utilizing our recommended approach with NHANES 2007-2008 data, the age-standardized prevalence of hypertension in the US was 29.8% (standard error 0.62%) and the rate of hypertension control was 45.8% (standard error 4.03%). Conclusions Surveillance definitions of hypertension and hypertension control vary in the literature. We present standard definitions of hypertension prevalence and control among adults and standard parameters for age-adjustment and population composition that will enable meaningful population comparisons and monitoring of trends.

These data show that perspectives of stroke are heavily influenced by the presence of traditional medicine in Korea, especially in older and less educated persons. This perspective significantly deviates from the scientific concept regarding the etiology, symptoms, and treatment of stroke. Current science-based health education is urgently needed in this country.