Hypertension among adults in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012

TLDR: Treatment of hypertension exceeded the Healthy People 2020 target goal of 69.5% and the control of hypertension has neither met the goal of thehealthy People 2020 nor the Million Hearts Initiative, providing evidence for continued efforts to improve the management of hypertension.

Abstract: The overall prevalence of hypertension has not changed appreciably since 2009-2010. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension among U.S. adults was 29.1% in 2011-2012. Among adults with hypertension in 2011-2012, 82.8% were aware of their hypertension, 75.7% were currently taking medication to lower their blood pressure, and 51.9% had their blood pressure controlled to less than 140/90 mm Hg. Men and women had similar prevalence and awareness of hypertension, but more women than men were treating their hypertension and had it under control. Young adults aged 18-39 continued to have lower awareness, treatment, and control of their hypertension compared with older adults. Hypertension prevalence was still highest among non-Hispanic black adults. However, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were similar among non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic adults. Non-Hispanic Asian adults had a lower prevalence of awareness than the other race and Hispanic origin groups, and lower treatment than non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black adults. However, hypertension control was similar among non-Hispanic Asian adults and the other race and Hispanic origin groups. Hypertension is a common and manageable chronic condition. Based on recent national data from 2011-2012, treatment of hypertension exceeded the Healthy People 2020 target goal of 69.5%. However, the control of hypertension has neither met the goal of the Healthy People 2020 (61.2% by 2020) nor the Million Hearts Initiative (65% by 2017). These results provide evidence for continued efforts to improve the management of hypertension in order to attain these goals.