About 67 Million Adults Have High Blood Pressure
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.
About 67 million adults have high blood pressure. More than half (36 million) have uncontrolled high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States, leading to nearly 1,000 deaths a day. The majority of people with high blood pressure are being treated with medicine, yet their condition is still not under control.
Millions more are either aware they have high blood pressure but aren’t getting any treatment with medicine or don’t know they have high blood pressure. The September issue of CDC’s Vital Signs highlights the importance of awareness and treatment for adults with uncontrolled hypertension. Adults with high blood pressure can gain control by taking their blood pressure medicine.