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High Blood Pressure on the Rise: Aging Population a
Major Cause
Aug. 24, 2004 High blood pressure is increasing
rapidly in the U.S. and a major reason is the increase in the number of
older Americans the vast majority develop hypertension.
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Click Chart for
larger view |
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Hypertension % by Age, 1999-2000 |
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18-34 |
6.00% |
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35-44 |
16.00% |
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45-54 |
31.00% |
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55-+64 |
48.00% |
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65-74 |
65.10% |
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75+ |
77.60% |
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According to this new study of data over the last
10 years, there are about 65 million hypertensive adults in this country
or about a third of U.S. adults (age 18 and older). This number, based
on survey and examination data from 1999 to 2000, contrasts with data
from 1988 1994 which found that about 50 million adults had
hypertension. The data came from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
The new analysis shows that the proportion of the
population with hypertension grew by about 8 percent in the last decade.
In terms of absolute numbers, the study found a 30 percent increase in
the total number of adults with hypertension.
"The hypertension trend is not unexpected given the
increase in obesity and an aging population. Obesity contributes to the
development of hypertension and the current epidemic of overweight and
obesity in the U.S. has set the stage for an increase in high blood
pressure," according to Barbara Alving, M.D., Acting Director of the
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
"We also know that high blood pressure becomes more
common as people get older," she added. "At age 55, those who do not
have high blood pressure have a 90 percent chance of developing it at
some point in their lives."
This is not healthy aging!, says Alving.
Fortunately, we can take steps to reverse this trend.
Guidelines issued by the National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute's National High Blood Pressure Program (NHBPEP)
identified a new prehypertension category. This category was created to
alert people to their risk of developing high blood pressure so they
could make lifestyle changes to help avoid developing the condition.
These changes include losing excess weight, becoming physically active,
limiting alcoholic beverages, and following a heart-healthy eating plan,
including cutting back on salt and other forms of sodium.
The rising trend in hypertension has important
consequences for the public health of this nation. High blood pressure
is a major risk factor for heart disease and the chief risk factor for
stroke and heart failure, and also can lead to kidney damage.
Prevention efforts must start early. According to
recent high blood pressure guidelines for children and adolescents,
prehypertension and hypertension are also significant health issues in
the young due in large part to the marked increase in the prevalence of
overweight children. These guidelines were also issued by the NHBPEP,
which represents 46 professional, voluntary, and Federal organizations.
For over 30 years, the NHBPEP has worked to
educate the public and health professionals about the importance of
diagnosing, preventing, and treating high blood pressure, says Alving.
We have had many success stories over the years, including improved
awareness, treatment, and control rates. In fact, part of the increase
in hypertension shown in the new study may be due to better survival of
those who have been treated or may be living longer as a result of
healthier lifestyles.
Analysis of data is from Fields LE, Burt VL, Cutler
JA, Hughes J, Roccella EJ, Sorlie P. The Burden of Adult Hypertension in
the United States 1999 to 2000, A Rising Tide. Hypertension; 2004; 44:
1-7.
NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), the Federal Government's primary agency for biomedical and
behavioral research. NIH is a component of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. NHLBI press releases and other materials, including
an interactive Web page, "Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure,"
are available online at
www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
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