Blood pressure control decreased in the United States from 2014 to 2018

The prevalence of controlled blood pressure decreased from 2013-2014 to 2017-2018 in the United States, according to a study in JAMA.

In this cross-sectional analysis, data from 18,262 adults in the United States with hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure level of 140 mm Hg or higher, diastolic blood pressure level of 90 mm Hg or higher, or use of antihypertensive medication, were included.

From 1999-2000 to 2007-2008, the age-adjusted estimated proportion of adults with hypertension with control increased from 31.8% to 48.5%. In 2013-2014, the proportion remained stable with 53.8% before decline in 2017-2018 to 43.7%.

Blood pressure was more likely to be controlled in those 45 to 64 years of age than those 18 to 44 years of age. Those older than 75 years of age were less likely to have controlled blood pressure.

Controlled blood pressure was less likely among non-Hispanic Black adults compared with non-Hispanic White adults.

Reference
Muntner P, Hardy ST, Fine LJ, et al. Trends in Blood Pressure Control Among US Adults With Hypertension, 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. JAMA. 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.14545.