Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, August 2021-August 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: This report presents the latest findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among adults in the United States during August 2021-August 2023.

Methods: Nationally weighted prevalence estimates of hypertension (systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure of 80 mm Hg or above, or self-report of current blood pressure medication use), self-reported awareness, self-reported treatment, and control (blood pressure less than 130/80 mm Hg) were obtained using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey August 2021-August 2023 data. Variance estimates accounted for the complex survey design by using Taylor series linearization. Differences between estimates overall, among subgroups, and compared with 2017-March 2020 were tested using a t statistic at the p < 0.05 significance level.

Key findings: During August 2021-August 2023, the prevalence of hypertension in adults was 47.7%, was higher in men (50.8%) than women (44.6%), and increased with age: 23.4% for ages 18-39, 52.5% for 40-59, and 71.6% for 60 and older. Among adults with hypertension, 59.2% were aware of their hypertension status, more than one-half were currently taking medication to lower blood pressure, and about one-fifth had their blood pressure controlled to less than 130/80 mm Hg. No significant change in awareness, treatment, or control of hypertension was seen among adults with hypertension between 2017-March 2020 and August 2021-August 2023.