Abstract 12030: Trends in Blood Pressure Among Adults With Hypertension: United States, 2003-2012

Abstract

Objectives: To describe trends in the awareness, treatment and control of hypertension; mean blood pressure; and the classification of blood pressure among U.S. adults 2003-2012. Methods and Results: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2012, a total of 9,255 adult participants aged 18 and older were identified as having hypertension, defined as measured blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or taking prescription medication for hypertension. Awareness and treatment among hypertensive adults were ascertained via an interviewer administered questionnaire. Controlled hypertension among hypertensive adults was defined as systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg. Blood pressure was categorized as optimal blood pressure, prehypertension, stage I hypertension and stage II hypertension. Between 2003 and 2012, the percent of adults with controlled hypertension increased ( p -trend <0.01). Hypertensive adults with optimal blood pressure and with prehypertension increased from 13% to 19% and 27% to 33%, respectively ( p - trend < 0.01). Among hypertensive adults who were taking anti-hypertensive medication, uncontrolled hypertension decreased from 38% to 30% ( p -trend <0.01). Similarly, a decrease in mean systolic blood pressure was observed ( p -trend <0.01); however, mean diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged. Conclusion: The trend in the control of blood pressure has improved among hypertensive adults resulting in a higher percent with blood pressure at the optimal or prehypertension level and a lower percent in stage I and stage II hypertension. Overall, mean systolic blood pressure decreased as did the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among the treated hypertensive population.