 |
|
According to a study published in Hypertension: Journal
of the American Heart Association, in August 2004, the number
of adults in the United States with high blood pressure increased
30 percent over the last decade (from 1988-94 to 1999-2000). |
The study found that at least 65 million Americans, or almost
a third of U.S. adults, have hypertension, defined as blood pressure
of 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher, using blood-pressure
lowering medications, or having been told at least twice by a physician
or other health professional that they had high blood pressure
(medical history).
“High blood pressure is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease,
kidney failure, heart failure, stroke and other conditions. From a public and
health professional perspective, it is important to be aware of high blood pressure,
to have blood pressure checked regularly, and if blood pressure is elevated,
to initiate appropriate counseling and treatment,” said Larry E. Fields,
M.D., lead author of the study and senior executive advisor to the assistant
secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
The findings came from an analysis of 4,531 people over 18 years-old, using
data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the 1999–2000 National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey. The 1988-94 study estimated at least 50 million
U.S. adults had high blood pressure.
Fields and his associates estimated that 59.2 million people had hypertension
on the basis of blood pressure measurements or prescriptions for blood pressure
medication. More than 6 million people had high blood pressure based on their
medical history, resulting in an estimated total of 65.2 million hypertensive
adults.
|
The 1999-2000 survey shows that 28 percent
of women and men have high blood pressure. When prevalence was divided
along
racial/ethnic categories, non-Hispanic black Americans have the highest
prevalence at 38.8 percent. High blood pressure is prevalent in 28.7 percent
of the Mexican American population, and in 27.2 percent of the non-Hispanic
white population.
While the study did not specifically examine reasons for the increase in
high blood pressure, investigators cited older age of the U.S. population,
the growing proportion of overweight and obese Americans as potential major
contributors. Older age, excess weight and lack of physical activity all
increase the risk of hypertension.
Getting regular physical activity, controlling weight, and eating a
nutritious diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables and moderate
amounts of salt, can reduce a person’s chances of developing high
blood pressure,” said Dr. Fields.
To view the entire article, click
here |
|
