Hypertension in the USA

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General analysis of hypertension in the USA reports that it affects approximately 75 million adults. The analysis concludes that by race, the prevalence and control are as follows:

  • Black Americans -41.8% with a control of 42.7%
  • White Americans -34.2% with a control of 51.1%
  • Hispanic Americans-23.5% with a control of 42.4%
  • Asian Americans-27.8% with a control of 41.4%

According to data from National Health and Nutrition Examination on a study carried out between 2017 and 2018, hypertension was 45.4% among adults of 18 years and over. It was higher among men at 51.0% than women at 39.7%. This increased with age such that between the age of 18-39 years it was at 22.4%, between the age of 40-59 years it stood at 54.5% and for those people of 60 years and over it stood at 74.5%.

It was also noted that 3|4 of adults 60 years and over had hypertension. For both men and women, a similar pattern of increasing prevalence of hypertension with age was observed. It was higher among men and women aged 18-39(31.2%) compared with 13.0% those aged 40-54 had men at 59.4% compared with 49.9% for women. But the difference was not significant for men and women aged 60 years and over whereby that of men with hypertension was 75.2% while that of women stood at 73.9%.

In terms of races, hypertension was high among non-Hispanic black men and women. The level of hypertension in non-Hispanic black was 57.1% while that of non-Hispanic whites was 43.6% and 43.7% among Hispanic adults. Among women, the age adjusted prevalence of hypertension was higher among non-Hispanic black (56.7%) than non-Hispanic whites(36.7%) and Hispanic adults(36.8%). The level of education was also a determinant with those with college education and above registering a lower prevalence of 38.5% as compared with those with high school education and below at 47.5%.

Changes between 1999 and 2018

Between these years, men followed a similar pattern, with age adjusted prevalence decreasing from 51.7% between 1999 and 2000 to 45.2% between 2013 and 2014 and then increasing to 51.0% between 2017 and 2018. However, age adjusted hypertension prevalence for women did not change significantly. Between 1999 and 2000, it was 42.0% and then it reduced to 39.7% between the years 2017 and 2018.

In general, according to data from National Health and Nutrition Examination,45% of American adults had hypertension in 2017-2018 and the prevalence increased with age with three quarters of adults aged 60 and over having hypertension.  The prevalence was also highest among non-Hispanic black men and women.

And according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, high blood pressure was a primary or a contributing cause of 691,095 deaths in the USA. According to their research, nearly half of adults have high blood pressure. This is 48.1% which translates into 119.9 million Americans. This is measured on the basis of systolic blood pressure being greater than 130mmHg and diastolic blood pressure being greater 80mmHg or those taking medication for high blood pressure.

Statistics 

-About 1 out of 4 adults with hypertension have their blood pressure under control. This means that 22.5% or 27.0 million Americans have their blood pressure under control.

-About half of adults, which is 45.0%, with uncontrolled blood pressure have a blood pressure of 140|90mmHg or higher which includes 37 million US adults.

-About 34 million adults who should be taking medication according to hypertension guidelines may need a prescription or fill their prescription and start taking it. Almost 2 out of 3 of this group (19 million) have a blood pressure is 140|90mmHg or higher.

-High blood pressure costs the USA about US$ 131 billion each year, which was an average of twelve years between 2003 and 2014.Though uncontrolled blood pressure is common, some groups of people are more likely to have a recognizable control over their blood pressure than others.

– A higher percentage of men (50%) have high blood pressure than women (44%).

– High blood pressure is more common in non-Hispanic black adults (56%) than in Hispanic white adults (46%) and Hispanic adults (39%).

– Among those recommended to take medication, research has shown that blood pressure control is higher among non-Hispanic white adults (32%) than in non-Hispanic black adults (25%) ,non-Hispanic Asian adults(19%) or Hispanic adults(25%).

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR 

Blood pressure screening is an important aspect of general health. The frequency with which to see a doctor depends on age and general health. Those at the age of 18 are recommended to go for screening at least once in every two years. Those between 18 and 39 with a high risk of blood pressure or risk factors for heart disease and those over 40 years are advised to be screened at least once a year. Children of age 3 may have their blood pressure measured as part of yearly check-ups.

Your care provider can also determine the frequency depending on the readings. If you don’t regularly see a care provider, you can get free blood pressure screening at a health resource or other locations in your community. Free blood pressure machines are also in some stores and pharmacies, but their accuracy depends on several things including proper use of correct cuff size. You need to ask your care provider for advice on those machines.

SOURCES

  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Medical News Today
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Healthline
  • Mayo Clinic
  • American Heart Association (AHA)
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