Almost half of all Americans are suffering from a deadly medical condition, putting them at risk of dementia, heart attacks, and strokes.
A new report from the CDC found 47.7 percent of adults 18 and older had high blood pressure (hypertension) between 2020 and 2023, around the same as the prevalence in the CDC’s report from 2017-2020.
In addition, about four in 10 adults aren’t even aware they have the condition, said the CDC, meaning they aren’t receiving treatment and, therefore, are at much higher risk for deadly complications.
Hypertension is a contributing or primary factor in over 685,000 deaths every year in the United States alone.
The discoveries mean the government is on track to fail in its overall goal to bring the prevalence of hypertension down to 41 percent by 2030.
The prevalence among men remained primarily unchanged over surveys, and the prevalence among women dropped by about one percentage point.
Between sexes, men had a higher prevalence than women — at 50.8 percent compared to 44.6 percent.
The prevalence was 23 percent for individuals ages 18 to 39, about 53 percent for those ages 40 to 59, and 72 percent for Americans 60 and older.
While the prevalence decreased slightly in the older age groups, younger age groups saw a slight increase.
This slight increase could be a factor that contributes to the increase in cardiac events and strokes among young people.
Strokes in Americans younger than 45 have increased by almost 15 percent since 2011, per a separate CDC report. The agency partially attributed the rise to an increase in hypertension, but additionally, an increase in nationwide drug addiction and obesity.
The Cleveland Clinic lists a sedentary lifestyle, drug use, and an unhealthy diet as risk factors for hypertension.
But active and healthy people aren’t immune to hypertension.
The newest report from the CDC discovered that among individuals with hypertension, 59 percent were aware they had the condition, and around half were taking medication to decrease their blood pressure.
However, this differed widely across age groups. Only 27 percent of 18- 39-year-olds were aware they were suffering from high blood pressure, compared to 74 percent of individuals 60 and older who were aware.
Due to this, treatment also varies. Only 14 percent of younger people were treated for high blood pressure compared to 69 percent of seniors.
Despite the treatment level, however, only 21 percent of all individuals had their blood pressure controlled to a healthy level.
The percentage of individuals who were aware of, in control of, or in treatment for their hypertension did not significantly change between the 2017-2021 survey and the 2021-2023 poll.
Hypertension doesn’t typically cause symptoms, which is why physicians call it a ‘silent killer,’ per the Cleveland Clinic. Still, when hypertension is higher than 180/120 mmHg, an individual may experience nosebleeds, headaches, and heart palpitations.
Blood pressure of this level is considered to be a ‘hypertension crisis’ and requires medical care immediately.
According to the CDC, hypertension was the primary contributor to around 685,900 deaths in the United States in the United States in 2022.
Over time, hypertension can weaken the blood and heart vessels, which can cause cardiovascular disease — including sudden cardiac arrest — increasing the risk for dementia and stroke.
To treat high blood pressure, doctors recommend changes in lifestyle, such as reaching and then remaining at a healthy weight, consuming enough potassium, an electrolyte and mineral involved in critical body processes, reducing salt intake, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and limiting alcohol.
