Americans are getting their high blood pressure under control
New research shows that Americans are learning to manage their high blood pressure better.
According to a study published in the latest edition of the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, the number of adults controlling their high blood pressure jumped from 29 percent in 1999-2000 to 37 percent just four years later – an improvement that means millions have lessened their risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.
Such a remarkable jump in the control rate had not been seen previously, said Bernard M.Y. Cheung, Ph.D., author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Hong Kong.
Researchers noted blood pressure control and awareness were especially improved for those older than 60. In this group, control rates increased from 26 percent to 37 percent. Awareness in that age group grew from 71 percent to 81 percent.
Cheung's team compared data gathered in 1999–2000 to data gathered in 2003–04 from 14,653 adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The somewhat disappointing news is that the prevalence of high blood pressure did not decline. About 27 percent of Americans in 1999-2000 and 29 percent in 2003-04 had high blood pressure, adding up to nearly 60 million people. Also, researchers noted that about a quarter were unaware they had high blood pressure and about one-third were not being treated in 2003–04. This means aggressive efforts to educate the public need to continue.
In the journal report, Cheung stated clinicians should encourage lifestyle changes as well as prescribing medication. Suggested lifestyle changes include:
• Exercising at least 30 minutes a day
• Losing excess weight
• Reducing salt intake
• Increasing potassium intake
• Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and reducing intake of total and saturated fats
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Avoiding tobacco products and secondhand smoke
• Reducing stress levels
|
