Millions of people with hypertension are being treated with medicine and have seen a physician at least twice in the past year, yet their condition still is not under control, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In all, nearly one in three — 66.9 million — American adults has hypertension. More than half — 35.8 million — of those with hypertension do not have it under control, according to the report.
Of the nearly 36 million whose hypertension is not under control, an estimated 14.1 million were not aware of their condition, 5.7 million were aware of their hypertension but were not receiving pharmacologic treatment, and 16 million were aware of their hypertension and were being treated with medication.
Of those with hypertension, 89.4% reported having a usual source of healthcare and 85.2% reported having health insurance. Those numbers suggest missed opportunities for healthcare systems, clinicians and individuals to reduce the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension, according to the CDC.
"We have to roll up our sleeves and make blood pressure control a priority every day, with every patient, at every doctor’s visit," CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, said in a news release. "With increased focus and collaboration among patients, healthcare providers and healthcare systems, we can help 10 million Americans’ blood pressure come into control in the next five years."
Hypertension, defined as blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg, causes nearly 1,000 deaths each day and amounts to almost $131 billion a year in direct healthcare costs.
Nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and community health workers can support physicians in identifying and treating patients with hypertension, according to the CDC. This team-based approach is a way to provide patient support and follow-up care, manage medicines and help patients stick to a blood pressure control plan.
Health systems should consider using electronic health records, encouraging the use of 90-day refills and having low or no co-pay requirements, the CDC stated.
In addition, patients should be counseled to make important lifestyle changes that affect blood pressure, including eating a healthy, low-sodium diet, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.
The report appears in the September issue of Vital Signs. To read it, visit www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/Hypertension/index.html.
In all, nearly one in three — 66.9 million — American adults has hypertension. More than half — 35.8 million — of those with hypertension do not have it under control, according to the report.
Of the nearly 36 million whose hypertension is not under control, an estimated 14.1 million were not aware of their condition, 5.7 million were aware of their hypertension but were not receiving pharmacologic treatment, and 16 million were aware of their hypertension and were being treated with medication.
Of those with hypertension, 89.4% reported having a usual source of healthcare and 85.2% reported having health insurance. Those numbers suggest missed opportunities for healthcare systems, clinicians and individuals to reduce the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension, according to the CDC.
"We have to roll up our sleeves and make blood pressure control a priority every day, with every patient, at every doctor’s visit," CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH, said in a news release. "With increased focus and collaboration among patients, healthcare providers and healthcare systems, we can help 10 million Americans’ blood pressure come into control in the next five years."
Hypertension, defined as blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg, causes nearly 1,000 deaths each day and amounts to almost $131 billion a year in direct healthcare costs.
Nurses, pharmacists, dietitians and community health workers can support physicians in identifying and treating patients with hypertension, according to the CDC. This team-based approach is a way to provide patient support and follow-up care, manage medicines and help patients stick to a blood pressure control plan.
Health systems should consider using electronic health records, encouraging the use of 90-day refills and having low or no co-pay requirements, the CDC stated.
In addition, patients should be counseled to make important lifestyle changes that affect blood pressure, including eating a healthy, low-sodium diet, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.
The report appears in the September issue of Vital Signs. To read it, visit www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/Hypertension/index.html.
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