Implications of New Hypertension Guidelines in the United States
Hypertension, 07/22/2011
Clinical Guideline
Bertoia ML et al. – Although individuals at a higher risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) are more likely to be aware of their hypertension and to be taking antihypertension medication, they are less likely to have their blood pressure (BP) under control. Additional efforts are needed in the treatment of elevated BP, especially among individuals with an increased risk of CAD.
Methods- Authors used a cross–sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2008 participants.
- Participants were 24 989 adults aged 18 to 85 years.
- Using the old definition of hypertension (>140/90 mm Hg), 98 million (21%) Americans have hypertension
- Using the updated guidelines, an additional 52 million (11%) American adults now have elevated BP requiring treatment, for a total of 150 million adults (32%)
- Adults with diabetes mellitus have the greatest population burden of uncontrolled BP (50.6 million), followed by adults with chronic kidney disease (43.7 million) and cardiovascular disease (43.3 million)
