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Do you know if you have a hypertension (high blood pressure)? And if you do, do you handle it effectively? Study findings published online September 9, 2020, pre JAMA find that people’s awareness and control of their high blood pressure has fallen in recent years, especially among older adults.
The study drew data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It found that the number of people who experienced hip suffering fell by 8% from 2013 to 2018. Among those who were aware of their condition, more than half did not manage it appropriately. In particular, adults aged 60 and over were less likely to control high blood pressure than younger people. Lack of involvement could be a cause. Researchers noted that among people who had not been to their doctor in the past year, less than 10% had blood pressure control.
Some of the study was performed using the older definition of high blood pressure – systolic blood pressure (high number) of 140 or higher or diastolic blood pressure (low number) of 90 or higher. New guidelines released in 2017 suggest that people with hypertension should control blood pressure to less than 130/80. This indicates that even more adults today may not realize they have high blood pressure.
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