Prevalence of Hypertension in the US Adult Population

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the current prevalence and distribution of hypertension and to determine the status of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in the US adult population. The study used a cross-sectional survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States, including an in-home interview and a clinic examination, each of which included measurement of blood pressure. Data for 9901 participants 18 years of age and older from phase 1 of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, collected from 1988 through 1991, were used. Twenty-four percent of the US adult population representing 43,186,000 persons had hypertension. The age-adjusted prevalence in the non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Mexican American populations was 32.4%, 23.3%, and 22.6%, respectively. Overall, two thirds of the population with hypertension were aware of their diagnosis (69%), and a majority were taking prescribed medication (53%). Only one third of Mexican Americans with hypertension were being treated (35%), and only 14% achieved control in contrast to 25% and 24% of the non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white populations with hypertension, respectively. Almost 13 million adults classified as being normotensive reported being told on one or more occasions that they had hypertension; 51% of this group reported current adherence to lifestyle changes to control their hypertension. Hypertension continues to be a common finding in the general population. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension have improved substantially since the 1976-1980 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey but continue to be suboptimal, especially in Mexican Americans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The impact of changes in leisure time physical activity on changes in cardiovascular risk factors: results from The Finnmark 3 Study and SAMINOR 1, 1987–2003

“…This is in accordance with data from NHANES III [30], showing that average SBP in the US population increased throughout life, while DBP decreased after 60 years of age. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends dynamic aerobic endurance training for at least 30 min daily to prevent hypertension [31], and randomized control studies repeatedly show that exercise reduces SBP and DBP [32].…”

Cumulative Incidence of Hypertension by 55 Years of Age in Blacks and Whites: The CARDIA Study

“…The higher incidence of hypertension in blacks compared with whites in the current study is consistent with previous cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16. In a previous analysis of the CARDIA study, 10‐year incidence of hypertension was 16.4% in black men, 13.1% in black women, 7.8% in white men, and 3.2% in white women 3.…”

“…Cross‐sectional studies using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have consistently reported a higher prevalence of hypertension in blacks compared with whites beginning at a young age 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. However, few studies have used longitudinal data to quantify the cumulative incidence of hypertension from young adulthood through middle age among blacks and whites.…”

Correlates of Controlled Hypertension in Indigent, Inner-City Hypertensive Patients

“…6 Using the revised definition of hypertension, a systolic blood pressure (SBP) Ն 140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) Ն 90 mm Hg on a single occasion, national data from 1988 through 1991 show that among hypertensive patients, 69% are aware of their diagnosis, 53% are being treated, and 24% have controlled BP. 1,4,7 Of patients currently receiving antihypertensive treatment, only 45% have controlled hypertension (SBP Ͻ 140 mm Hg and DBP Ͻ 90 mm Hg).…”