Getting Blood Pressure Under Control

Getting Blood Pressure Under Control

Many missed opportunities to prevent heart disease and stroke

Nearly 1 in 3 adults (about 67 million) have high blood pressure.

About 36 million adults with high blood pressure don’t have it under control.

High blood pressure contributes to nearly 1,000 deaths a day.

 

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the US. Nearly one-third of all American adults have high blood pressure and more than half of them don’t have it under control.* Many with uncontrolled high blood pressure don’t know they have it. Millions are taking blood pressure medicines, but their blood pressure is still not under control. There are many missed opportunities for people with high blood pressure to gain control. Doctors, nurses and others in health care systems should identify and treat high blood pressure at every visit.

*Blood pressure control means having a systolic blood pressure less than 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg, among people with high blood pressure.

Problem

Controlling blood pressure has to be a priority.

Why is blood pressure control so important to health?
When your blood pressure is high:

• You are 4 times more likely to die from a stroke
• You are 3 times more likely to die from heart disease

Even blood pressure that is slightly high can put you at greater risk.
Most people with uncontrolled high blood pressure:

• Know they have high blood pressure
• See their doctor
• Take prescribed medicine

Each of these is important, but there is much more to do. What’s needed now is for doctors, nurses and their patients to pay regular and frequent attention to controlling blood pressure.

Back to Top

Back to Top