Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, August 2021-August 2023.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional national survey analysis (NHANES)
What was done
Nationally weighted estimates of hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control were calculated from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data collected between August 2021 and August 2023. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of at least 130 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of at least 80 mm Hg, or self-reported antihypertensive medication use. Blood pressure control was defined as blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. Estimates were compared with data from 2017 to March 2020 using t-tests.
What was found
Hypertension prevalence among US adults was 47.7% overall, higher in men (50.8%) than women (44.6%), and increased with age: 23.4% in ages 18–39, 52.5% in ages 40–59, and 71.6% in ages 60 and older. Among individuals with hypertension, 59.2% were aware of their status, more than half were taking blood pressure-lowering medication, and approximately one-fifth had blood pressure controlled to less than 130/80 mm Hg. There were no statistically significant changes in awareness, treatment, or control rates compared to the 2017–March 2020 period.
Why it matters
These updated national surveillance figures show that despite widespread prevalence, blood pressure control remains critically low in the United States, with four out of five hypertensive adults uncontrolled under current clinical guidelines.
Limits
The abstract does not state the exact participant count (n). Awareness and treatment relied on self-report, and cross-sectional design cannot evaluate individual-level longitudinal changes or causal mechanisms behind poor control rates.
Cited by
- supports Almost 50% of US adults have hypertension, and 20% of young adults aged 18 to 39 have hypertension.