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Americans' hypertension prevalence remained stable during past decade

Issue: August 2012

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The prevalence of hypertension in the United States remained stable from 1999 to 2010, with researchers finding no improvement in recent years, despite increased awareness and better management, new data reveal.

Of nearly 29,000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants studied, the prevalence of hypertension was 28.5% among women and 30.5% among men in 2009 to 2010. The overall age-adjusted prevalence was 29.5% in 2009 to 2010, with no significant improvement since 1999 to 2000, according to the researchers.

Although there were significant improvements in hypertension awareness, management and control throughout the study period across almost all sex and ethnicity groups, overall rates remained poor in 2009 to 2010, the researchers said. For instance, the rate of hypertension awareness was 74%, management was 71.6% and control was 46.5%. Further, the researchers found no improvement in these measures from 2007 to 2010. Analyzed by sex, the age-adjusted hypertension awareness rate was 69.7% among men and 80.7% among women from 2009 to 2010. Similarly, the rate of hypertension control was 40.3% for men and 56.3% for women during the same time period.

Data on trends also showed an increased prevalence of hypertension in black, overweight and obese, less educated and unmarried participants. In terms of awareness, management and control, men, younger adults and Mexican Americans had lower rates of hypertension awareness, management and control. Older participants had lower control rates than younger participants. The researchers said the age-related differences observed may be attributable to a higher prevalence of treatment-resistant hypertension in older people.

According to other results, age-adjusted mean systolic BP decreased by 4 mm Hg from 1999 to 2010 (P<.001), especially in women. The researchers observed a similar pattern for mean diastolic BP, which decreased by 3 mm Hg from 1999 to 2010 (P<.001); this decrease was similar for both men and women.

The data come from 28,995 men and women who participated in NHANES, with special attention given to 5,764 participants in NHANES 2009-2010. All adults were aged 20 years and older. The goal was to evaluate trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness and management.

“Despite the downward trends in mean systolic BP and mean diastolic BP, hypertension prevalence remained constantly high, affecting 30% of the US adult population in 1999 to 2010,” Fangjian Guo, MD, and colleagues wrote in the study.

“Effective prevention, detection, management and control of hypertension should continue to be important goals for health policy, public health and medical care decision makers, as well as advocates and individuals at risk for hypertension,” they concluded.

For more information:

Guo F. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2012.04.026.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.