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Figure 1. ٱԲDz Control Cascade Population Estimates Among Adults Aged 18 Years or Older in the US With Uncontrolled Hypertension, Overall and by Age, Sex, and Race and Ethnicity, January 2017 to March 2020

The population meeting lifestyle modification criteria and meeting lifestyle modifications and medication criteria were calculated among individuals who were aware of their hypertension status and were independent of medication use. The population taking blood pressure medication was calculated among those meeting lifestyle modifications and medication criteria. Adults aged 65 years or older with hypertension are not eligible for only lifestyle modification. Missing bars reflect estimates suppressed in accordance with National Center for Health Statistics Standards for presenting proportions26. Non-Hispanic other included those who self-reported multiracial or any non-Hispanic ethnicity other than Asian, Black, or White.

Figure 2. ٱԲDz Control Cascade Population Estimates Among Adults Aged 18 Years or Older in the US With Uncontrolled Hypertension by Number of Health Care Visits in the Past Year, January 2017 to March 2020

The population meeting lifestyle modification criteria and meeting lifestyle modifications and medication criteria were calculated among individuals who were aware of their hypertension status and were independent of medication use. The population taking blood pressure medication was calculated among those meeting lifestyle modifications and medication criteria. Missing bars reflect estimates suppressed in accordance with National Center for Health Statistics Standards for presenting proportions.26

Table 1. Characteristics of US Adults Aged 18 Years or Older With Uncontrolled Hypertension, January 2017 to March 2020
Table 2. Age-Standardized Hypertension Cascade Prevalence Estimates Among Adults Aged 18 Years or Older in the US With Hypertension, Overall and by Age, Race And Ethnicity, and Sex, January 2017 to March 2020
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Wang D, Hatahet M, Wang Y, Liang H, Bazikian Y, Bray CL. Multivariate analysis of hypertension in general US adults based on the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline: data from the national health and nutrition examination survey 1999 to 2016. Blood Press. 2019;28(3):191-198. doi:
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Chen HY, Chauhan SP. ٱԲDz among women of reproductive age: impact of 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association high blood pressure guideline. Int J Cardiol Hypertens. 2019;1:100007. doi:
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Mpofu JJ, Robbins CL, Garlow E, Chowdhury FM, Kuklina E. Surveillance of hypertension among women of reproductive age: a review of existing data sources and opportunities for surveillance before, during, and after pregnancy. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021;30(4):466-471. doi:
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Abrahamowicz AA, Ebinger J, Whelton SP, Commodore-Mensah Y, Yang E. Racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension: barriers and opportunities to improve blood pressure control. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2023;25(1):17-27. doi:
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Al Kibria GM. Racial/ethnic disparities in prevalence, treatment, and control of hypertension among US adults following application of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline. Prev Med Rep. 2019;14:100850. doi:
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Aggarwal R, Chiu N, Wadhera RK, et al. Racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in the United States, 2013 to 2018. ٱԲDz. 2021;78(6):1719-1726. doi:
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Hayes DK, Jackson SL, Li Y, et al. Blood pressure control among non-Hispanic Black adults is lower than non-Hispanic White adults despite similar treatment with antihypertensive medication: NHANES 2013-2018. Am J Hypertens. 2022;35(6):514-525. doi:
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Kirkland EB, Heincelman M, Bishu KG, et al. Trends in healthcare expenditures among US adults with hypertension: national estimates, 2003-2014. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(11):e008731. doi:
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Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, et al; American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics-2023 update: a report from the American Heart Association. 侱ܱپDz. 2023;147(8):e93-e621. doi:
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Xu J, Murphy SL, Kochanek KD, Arias E. Mortality in the United States, 2021. NCHS Data Brief. 2022;(456):1-8.
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Wozniak G, Khan T, Gillespie C, et al. ٱԲDz control cascade: a framework to improve hypertension awareness, treatment, and control. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2016;18(3):232-239. doi:
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Muntner P, Hardy ST, Fine LJ, et al. Trends in blood pressure control among US adults with hypertension, 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. Ѵ. 2020;324(12):1190-1200. doi:
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Ritchey MD, Gillespie C, Wozniak G, et al. Potential need for expanded pharmacologic treatment and lifestyle modification services under the 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guideline. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2018;20(10):1377-1391. doi:
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Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, et al; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure; National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure: the JNC 7 report. Ѵ. 2003;289(19):2560-2572. doi:
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Foti K, Wang D, Appel LJ, Selvin E. ٱԲDz awareness, treatment, and control in US Adults: trends in the hypertension control cascade by population subgroup (national health and nutrition examination survey, 1999-2016). Am J Epidemiol. 2019;188(12):2165-2174. doi:
19.
Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines. 侱ܱپDz. 2018;138(17):e426-e483. doi:
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National Center for Health Statistics. NHANES Survey Methods and Analytic Guidelines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed August 2, 2024.
21.
Stierman B, Afful J, Carroll MD, et al. National health and nutrition examination survey 2017–March 2020 prepandemic data files—development of files and prevalence estimates for selected health outcomes: National Health Statistics Report No. 128. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 14, 2021. Accessed July 5, 2023.
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Saydah S, Bullard KM, Cheng Y, et al. Trends in cardiovascular disease risk factors by obesity level in adults in the United States, NHANES 1999-2010. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2014;22(8):1888-1895. doi:
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Klein RJ, Schoenborn CA, National Center for Health Statistics. Age adjustment using the 2000 projected U.S. population: Healthy People Statistical Note No. 20. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 2001. Accessed August 2, 2024.
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National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2020–2021: annual perspective. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2023. Accessed August 2, 2024.
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National Center for Health Statistics. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey response rates population totals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 5, 2023.
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Parker JD, Talih M, Malec DJ, et al. National Center for Health Statistics data presentation standards for proportions. Vital Health Stat 2. 2017;(175):1-22.
27.
Coles S, Fisher L, Lin KW, Lyon C, Vosooney AA, Bird MD. Blood Pressure Targets in Adults With Hypertension: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the AAFP. American Academy of Family Physicians. December 2022. Accessed August 2, 2024.
28.
Muntner P, Carey RM, Gidding S, et al. Potential U.S. population impact of the 2017 ACC/AHA high blood pressure guideline. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;71(2):109-118. doi:
29.
Lloyd-Jones DM, Ning H, Labarthe D, et al. Status of cardiovascular health in US adults and children using the American Heart Association’s new “life’s essential 8” metrics: prevalence estimates from the national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES), 2013 through 2018. 侱ܱپDz. 2022;146(11):822-835. doi:
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US Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy pregnancies, healthy future: action plan to improve maternal health in America. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. 2021. Accessed August 2, 2024.
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Garovic VD, White WM, Vaughan L, et al. Incidence and long-term outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;75(18):2323-2334. doi:
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Trost SL, Busacker A, Leonard M, et al; US Department of Health and Human Services. Pregnancy-related deaths: data from maternal mortality review committees in 38 U.S. states, 2020. May 28, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024.
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Al-Makki A, DiPette D, Whelton PK, et al. ٱԲDz pharmacological treatment in adults: a World Health Organization guideline executive summary. ٱԲDz. 2022;79(1):293-301. doi:
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1 Comment for this article
EXPAND ALL
Uncontrolled HTN or uncontrolled white coat HTN?
Joseph Marek | Advocate Heart Institute
Given the high prevalence of white coat HTN (as high as 30%) (1) the findings of this study may only provide insight into control of "office BP." The BP measurement that may better reflect HTN risk is "out of office BP" measuremens,t either with self-measurement or amb monitoring.

It's plausible that conclusions regarding "BP control" as it relates to CV risk cannoy be reliably made based only on "office BP" measurements. If "office measurements" are used to determine quality measures, that often impact provider reimbursement, it may lead to over treatment of HTN, with its attendant complications. />
Reference
1. Circulation. 2001;104:1385–1392. doi: 10.1161/hc3701.096100

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None Reported
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Original Investigation
Cardiology
ٱ𳾲11, 2024

Examining the Hypertension Control Cascade in Adults With Uncontrolled Hypertension in the US

Author Affiliations
  • 1Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(9):e2431997. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.31997
Key Points

Question What are the hypertension control cascade estimates among adults with uncontrolled hypertension in the US?

Findings This cross-sectional study of 3129 adults aged 18 years or older with uncontrolled hypertension found that uncontrolled hypertension prevalence overall was high at 83.7%. Younger adults aged 18 to 44 years with hypertension had especially high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension of which they were unaware, with marked differences by health care utilization.

Meaning The findings of this study suggest there are opportunities to increase hypertension awareness and treatment to reduce cardiovascular disease and improve the nation’s overall health.

Abstract

Importance Uncontrolled hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the US.

Objective To determine the prevalence of hypertension control cascade outcomes (hypertension awareness, treatment recommendations, and medication use) among individuals with uncontrolled hypertension to inform action across cascade levels.

Design, Setting, and Participants This weighted cross-sectional study used January 2017 to March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 years or older in the US with uncontrolled hypertension. Data analysis occurred from January to February 2024.

Exposure Calendar year of response to the NHANES survey.

Main Outcomes and Measures Mean blood pressure (BP) was computed using up to 3 measurements. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as systolic BP of 130 mm Hg or greater or diastolic BP of 80 mm Hg or greater, regardless of medication use. Outcomes included patient awareness of hypertension, treatment recommendations, and medication use. To estimate population totals by subgroup, the age-standardized proportion of each outcome was multiplied by the estimated number of adults with uncontrolled hypertension.

Results The study included 3129 US adults with uncontrolled hypertension (1675 male [weighted percentage, 52.3%]; 775 aged 18 to 44 years [weighted percentage, 29.4%]; 1306 aged 45 to 64 years [weighted percentage, 41.4%]; 1048 aged 65 years or older [weighted percentage, 29.2%]), resulting in a population estimate of 100.4 million adults (weighted percentage, 83.7%) with uncontrolled hypertension. More than one-half of study participants (57.8 million adults [weighted percentage, 57.6%]) were unaware that they had hypertension, and of the 35.0 million who were aware and met criteria for antihypertensive medication, 24.8 million (weighted percentage, 70.8%) took the medication but had hypertension that remained uncontrolled. These negative outcomes in the hypertension control cascade occurred across demographic groups, with notably high prevalence among younger adults and individuals engaged in health care. Among an estimated 30.1 million adults aged 18 to 44 years with hypertension, 10.4 of 11.3 million females (weighted percentage, 91.8%) and 17.7 million of 18.8 million males (weighted percentage, 94.3%) had uncontrolled hypertension. Of the 10.4 million females, 7.2 million (weighted percentage, 68.8%) were unaware of their hypertension status, and of the 17.7 million males, 12.0 million (weighted percentage, 68.1%) were unaware. Additionally, 9.9 of 13.0 million adults with uncontrolled hypertension (weighted percentage, 75.7%) reported no health care visits in the past year and were unaware. Conversely, among 70.6 million adults with uncontrolled hypertension reporting 2 or more health care visits, approximately one-half (36.6 million [weighted percentage, 51.8%]) were unaware.

Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study, more than 50% of adults with uncontrolled hypertension in the US were unaware of their hypertension and were untreated, and 70.8% of those who were treated had hypertension that remained uncontrolled. These findings have serious implications for the nation’s overall health given the association of hypertension with increased risk for CVD.

Introduction

Approximately 120 million adults in the US (48.1%) have hypertension; of those, 92.9 million (77.4%) have uncontrolled hypertension,1 with disparities in hypertension prevalence and control by sex,2-4 age group,5,6 and race and ethnicity.7-10 Uncontrolled hypertension, which costs the nation $131 to $198 billion yearly,11 is a leading factor associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and events, including heart attack and stroke, and is also associated with an increased risk of diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cognitive decline.12,13

The hypertension control cascade is a nested framework for understanding and intervening on hypertension at different levels including awareness, treatment, and control.1,14-16 Individuals must first be aware of their diagnosis to be eligible for recommended treatments and must then be treated to achieve control. Prior studies have examined the hypertension cascade by applying the previous Joint National Committee (JNC) blood pressure (BP) guidelines17 to the total US population singly stratified by various sociodemographic variables.9,15,18 However, assessing the cascade among all adults in the US, including those with controlled hypertension, obscures variation by control status. Therefore, limiting cascade outcome measures to individuals with uncontrolled hypertension can inform at which cascade level evidence-based strategies, programs, and interventions may be most useful among this at-risk population. Additionally, presenting results by sociodemographic groups and by subgroups within sex can help to tailor solutions and inform efforts to reduce disparities.

In 2017, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) updated hypertension guidelines for adults aged 18 years or older, defining hypertension as systolic BP (SBP)greater than or equal to 130 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) greater than or equal to 80 mm Hg. This definition expanded eligibility for pharmacologic treatment and lifestyle modification for BP management, replacing the prior JNC guidelines.16,19 Therefore, this study uses current hypertension guidelines to present the hypertension control cascade (awareness, treatment eligibility, and medication use) from January 2017 to March 2020 among adults aged 18 years or older in the US with uncontrolled hypertension, stratified by demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Methods
Data Source

This cross-sectional study was approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology () reporting guideline. We used the January 2017 to March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of the US civilian, noninstitutionalized population. NHANES methodology, including the process for obtaining written informed consent from all study participants, has been described elsewhere.20 NHANES data are typically published as 2-year survey cycles. Data for the 2019 to 2020 survey cycle, which stopped collection in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore excludes pandemic-related impacts, were combined with 2017 to 2018 data to achieve a nationally representative sample and released as a public use dataset.21 We used this combined dataset.

Overall, 8965 persons aged 18 years or older completed the NHANES examination during January 2017 to March 2020. We excluded participants who reported pregnancy during the survey (87 participants), had missing BP measurements (930 participants), had missing current BP medication use (3 participants), or had unknown values for other covariates (617 participants).

NHANES data are publicly available. This secondary analysis was reviewed by CDC and was conducted in adherence with applicable federal law and CDC policy.

Hypertension Definition

SBP and DBP were calculated as the mean of up to 3 consecutive BP measurements. We defined hypertension as having a BP reading meeting the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines definition (SBP ≥130 mm Hg or DBP ≥80 mm Hg) or self-reported current use of BP-lowering medication (regardless of BP reading). We defined uncontrolled hypertension consistent with the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines, with or without current use of BP-lowering medication.

Hypertension Awareness Definition

Participants were asked the question, “Have you ever been told by a doctor or health professional that you had hypertension, also called high blood pressure?” Those who responded yes were considered aware of their hypertension status.

Treatment Recommendation Definitions

Based on the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines, participants who were aware of their hypertension status were considered as meeting criteria for lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic treatment if they reported current BP medication use, had stage 2 hypertension (SBP ≥140 mm Hg or DBP ≥90 mm Hg), had stage 1 hypertension (SBP, 130-139 mm Hg; DBP, 80-89 mm Hg) and an existing or high risk of developing CVD (atherosclerotic CVD [ASCVD] score ≥10%), or were aged 65 years or older.16 Meeting criteria for lifestyle modifications alone was defined as having stage 1 hypertension with a low risk of developing CVD (ASCVD score <10%). Participants unaware of their hypertension status were considered to not meet criteria for any recommendations.

Medication Use Definition

Among participants meeting criteria for lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic treatment, we defined participants as currently taking BP-lowering medication. This was determined using self-reported status.

Population Characteristics

Age was categorized as 18 to 44 years, 45 to 64 years, and 65 years or older. Self-reported race and ethnicity were queried in the same survey question and categorized as Hispanic (Mexican American and other Hispanic combined), non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and non-Hispanic other (includes multiracial individuals and any other non-Hispanic group other than non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White). We further analyzed age and race and ethnicity within 2 sex categories: male and female. Race and ethnicity were assessed due to racial disparities in hypertension prevalence and control.7-10

Self-reported educational attainment was categorized as less than high school, high school graduate or equivalent, some college or associate’s degree, and college graduate or above. Federal income-to-poverty ratio was defined as the participant’s family income divided by the federal poverty level and categorized as less than 1.30%, 1.30% to 3.50%, and greater than 3.50%.22 Participants reporting having Medicare, private, or other public health insurance were considered to have health insurance. We determined the number of health care visits during the past year based on the question, “During the last 12 months how many times have you seen a doctor or other health professional about your health at a doctor’s office, a clinic, hospital emergency department, at home or some other place? Do not include times you were hospitalized overnight.” Responses were categorized as 0 visits, 1 visit, and 2 or more visits.

We further analyzed cooccurring health conditions. Participants were categorized based on body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) as normal or underweight (<25.0), overweight (25.0-29.9), and obese (≥30.0); BMI was predetermined in the downloaded NHANES dataset. Participants were considered to have diabetes based on self-report, having a hemoglobin A1c value of 6.5% or greater (to convert to proportion of total hemoglobin, multiply by 0.01), or having a fasting plasma glucose level of 126 mg/dL or greater (to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 0.0555). We defined participants as having CKD based on an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 30 mg/g or greater. Participants were considered to have a history of clinical CVD based on self-reported diagnosis of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, angina, or stroke.

Statistical Analysis

We determined unweighted counts, age-standardized weighted counts, age-standardized weighted prevalence and corresponding 95% CIs for each participant characteristic. Values were age-standardized to the 2000 standard US population.23,24

To estimate population totals by subgroup, we multiplied the age-standardized proportion of each outcome by the estimated number of adults with uncontrolled hypertension, which was calculated based on the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) civilian noninstitutionalized population totals for adults aged 18 years or older from January 2017 to March 202025 and NHANES estimated proportions of adults with hypertension and uncontrolled hypertension. Using the stepped approach of the hypertension control cascade, we calculated weighted prevalence and 95% CIs for (1) uncontrolled hypertension (among all with hypertension), (2) hypertension awareness (among all with uncontrolled hypertension), (3) meeting criteria for treatment recommendations (among those aware of their hypertension status), and (4) antihypertensive medication use (among those aware and meeting criteria for lifestyle modifications plus medication).

We calculated prevalence estimates overall and by age, sex, race and ethnicity, age within sex, race and ethnicity within sex, and sociodemographic variables. Prevalence data and population estimates were suppressed in accordance with NCHS standards for presenting proportions.26

All analyses used sampling weights16 (SAS version9.4 [SAS Institute]) to account for NHANES multistage, clustered sample design. We used R software version 4.0.5 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing) for visualizations. Statistical significance was considered a 2-sided P < .05. Data analysis was conducted from January to February 2024.

Results
Population Characteristics

After applying exclusionary criteria to those who had completed the NHANES examination, there were 7328 individuals, of which 3954 (54.0%) had hypertension, and 3129 of those with hypertension (79.1%) were uncontrolled. These 3129 adults with uncontrolled hypertension constituted our study sample and had the following characteristics: 1675 male (weighted percentage, 52.3%), 775 aged 18 to 44 years (weighted percentage, 29.4%), 1306 aged 45 to 64 years (weighted percentage, 41.4%), 1048 aged 65 years or older (weighted percentage 29.2%), 589 Hispanic (weighted percentage 13.4%), 324 non-Hispanic Asian (weighted percentage, 5.3%), 973 non-Hispanic Black (weighted percentage 13.7%]), 148 non-Hispanic other (weighted percentage, 4.5%), 1095 non-Hispanic White (weighted percentage 63.2%) (Table 1). Most study participants were privately insured (1569 participants [weighted percentage, 60.3%]) and saw a health care clinician 2 or more times in the past year (2181 participants [weighted percentage, 69.2%]). Furthermore, approximately one-half of participants had obesity (1505 participants [weighted percentage, 50.3%]), 1 in 5 participants had a history of diabetes (806 participants [weighted percentage, 20.7%]) or CKD (806 participants [weighted percentage, 20.7%]), and 561 (weighted percentage, 16.0%) had a history of ASCVD. After population estimation, there were an estimated 120 million individuals with hypertension among whom 100.4 million were uncontrolled (weighted percentage 83.7%).

Hypertension Control Cascade Among Adults in the US With Uncontrolled Hypertension

Among adults in the US aged 18 years or older with hypertension from January 2017 to March 2020, the age-standardized prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 83.7% (95% CI, 80.6%-86.8%) (Table 2 and Figure 1). Overall, an estimated 57.8 million adults (weighted percentage, 57.6%) with uncontrolled hypertension were unaware, while 7.6 million (weighted percentage, 17.8%) were aware and met lifestyle modification criteria. Among 35.0 million adults with uncontrolled hypertension who met criteria for medication from January 2017 to March 2020, 24.8 million (weighted percentage, 70.8%) reported taking medication.

Across age groups, the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was high, ranging from 69.7% (95% CI, 66.7%-72.7%) among adults aged 65 years or older to 93.4% (95% CI, 90.3%-96.4%) among adults aged 18 to 44 years. Unawareness was high among adults aged 18 to 44 years (19.4 million individuals [weighted percentage, 68.4%]). Among 17.3 million adults aged 65 years or older with uncontrolled hypertension who met criteria for medication, nearly all (15.8 million individuals [weighted percentage, 91.1%]) took medication.

Across racial and ethnic groups, measures of the hypertension control cascade remained high, with a high age-standardized prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension for most groups (Table 2 and Figure 1). Nearly two-thirds of non-Hispanic Asian adults (3.4 of 5.7 million [weighted percentage, 60.5%) were unaware that they had hypertension, compared with less than one-half of non-Hispanic Black adults (7.1 of 14.9 million [weighted percentage, 47.4%]) and more than one-half of non-Hispanic White adults (36.7 million of 63.4 million [weighted percentage, 57.8%]). Across racial and ethnic groups, most adults with uncontrolled hypertension who met criteria for medication reported taking antihypertensive medication.

The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and other measures of the hypertension control cascade remained high across subgroups defined by BMI status, educational attainment, income level, and insurance status (eTable and eFigure 1 in Supplement 1). Notably, 9.9 of 13.0 million adults with uncontrolled hypertension (weighted percentage, 75.7%) reported no health care visits in the past year between January 2017 and March 2020 and were unaware (eTable in Supplement 1 and Figure 2). Conversely, approximately one-half of adults with uncontrolled hypertension reporting 2 or more health care visits in the past year were unaware (36.6 of 70.6 million adults [weighted percentage, 51.8%]). Of the 29.0 million who were aware and met criteria for BP medication, 23.0 million (weighted percentage, 79.4%) reported taking medication to control hypertension, despite hypertension remaining uncontrolled.

Hypertension Control Cascade in Adults in the US With Uncontrolled Hypertension, Stratified by Sex

When stratified by sex, hypertension control cascade measures generally were high across age groups and race and ethnicity groups (Table 2 and eFigure 2 in Supplement 1). The age-standardized prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was 94.3% (95% CI, 90.8%-97.7%) among males aged 18 to 44 years, 73.2% (95% CI, 68.6%-77.7%) among males aged 45 to 64 years, and 67.2% (95% CI, 62.9%-71.5%) among males aged 65 years or older. More than two-thirds of males aged 18 to 44 years (12.0 of 17.7 million males [weighted percentage, 68.1%]) were unaware of their hypertension status. Although more than two-thirds of males aged 18 to 44 years who were aware of their uncontrolled hypertension status met the criteria for antihypertension medication (3.9 of 5.6 million males [weighted percentage, 69.8%]), more than one-half (2.3 million males [weighted percentage, 58.4%]) reported currently taking medication. For each race and ethnicity group with reportable data, the age-standardized prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was more than 80.0%. Nearly all non-Hispanic Black males who were aware of their uncontrolled hypertension status met criteria for BP medication (3.3 of 3.5 million males [weighted percentage, 95.0%]), but only about two-thirds of those meeting the criteria (2.1 million of 3.3 million males [weighted percentage, 64.8%]) reported currently taking medication.

Of an estimated 11.3 million females aged 18 to 44 years with hypertension, 10.4 million (weighted percentage, 91.8%) were uncontrolled. Although more than two-thirds of females aged 18 to 44 years with uncontrolled hypertension (7.2 million females [weighted percentage, 68.8%]) and one-half of females aged 45 to 64 years (9.3 of 18.5 million females [weighted percentage, 50.0%]) with uncontrolled hypertension were unaware of their hypertension status, less than one-half of females aged 65 years or older were unaware (5.8 of 15.9 million females [weighted percentage, 36.1%]). Furthermore, although more than 80% of females aged 45 to 64 years who met the criteria for medication reported taking medication (7.1 of 8.6 million females [weighted percentage, 82.6%]) and more than 90% of females aged 65 years or older reported taking BP medication (9.5 million of 10.2 million females who were aware and met criteria for medication [weighted percentage, 93.2%]) approximately two-thirds of females aged 18 to 44 years (1.5 million of 2.4 million females who were aware and met criteria for medication [weighted percentage, 62.4%]) reported taking medication.

For each race and ethnicity group with reportable data, more than 80% of females had uncontrolled hypertension (eFigure 2 in Supplement 1). Nearly one-half of non-Hispanic Black females with uncontrolled hypertension were unaware of their status (3.7 of 8.1 million females [weighted percentage, 45.8%]), and although 4.1 million non-Hispanic Black females (weighted percentage, 93.2%) were aware of their status and met the criteria for BP medication, only 3.0 million (weighted percentage, 72.3%) reported taking medication.

Discussion

In this nationally representative cross-sectional study, we examined the hypertension control cascade among adults in the US with uncontrolled hypertension. From January 2017 to March 2020, more than three-quarters (100.4 of 120 million [weighted percentage, 83.7%]) of adults in the US aged 18 years or older with hypertension had uncontrolled hypertension, with approximately one-half (57.8 of 100.4 million, [weighted percentage, 57.6) being unaware of their condition (and therefore remaining untreated). Of the 35.0 million individuals with uncontrolled hypertension meeting criteria for antihypertensive medication, more than two-thirds (24.8 million individuals) reported taking medication but remained uncontrolled. These negative outcomes occurred across sociodemographic groups. Notably, we identified high unawareness and lack of control among younger adults aged 18 to 44 years, including both males and females, and marked differences across the measures of the cascade by health care utilization. Our findings emphasize the pressing need for implementing evidence-based strategies to improve hypertension awareness and management among adults with uncontrolled hypertension in the US, including among females of reproductive age, and to address sociodemographic differences in the hypertension control cascade.7-10

Our analysis applied the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines for hypertension.19 Prior guidelines from JNC and other organizations (notably, the American Academy of Family Physicians) define hypertension as SBP greater than 140 mm Hg and DBP greater than 90 mm Hg.27 Consequently, adults in our study classified as having uncontrolled hypertension according to the 2017 ACC/AHA definition may have met hypertension control criteria using earlier or different guidelines. A previous study28 documented increased prevalence of hypertension and of antihypertensive medication recommendations using the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline. Additionally, our results may reflect the slow adoption of the updated guidelines.

Among adults aged 18 to 44 years, the high prevalence and lack of awareness of uncontrolled hypertension is concerning given the importance of early cardiovascular health in preventing negative CVD outcomes later in life.29 For females in this age group, uncontrolled hypertension during pregnancy increases the mother’s lifetime risk of CVD and is a leading cause of pregnancy-related death and pregnancy complications.30,31 In 2020, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was the sixth most frequent underlying cause of pregnancy-related death in the US.32 Additionally, children born to mothers with uncontrolled hypertension have a greater risk of future adverse health outcomes, including hypertension and CVD.31

A prior study33 found that hypertension affects approximately 1 in 8 adults aged 20 to 40 years. In our study, the lack of hypertension awareness, and subsequent lack of control among younger adults may reflect this group’s more limited engagement with the health care system compared with older adults.34 Even those who are engaged with the health care system are less likely than older adults to be aware of their hypertension status and to subsequently receive and continue treatment for hypertension.15,35 Furthermore, studies have demonstrated a lack of persistence in blood pressure lowering among young people following the initial intervention. Additionally, certain life events in young people, such as pregnancy, may require tailored advice from health care professionals on the management of blood pressure.15,33,35 Effective management strategies and efforts are needed to increase hypertension awareness among young adults, especially young females. Examples may include improving patient engagement through shared decision-making and assisting patients with obtaining validated self-measured blood pressure monitors.36

Our study also revealed a lack of awareness among individuals already engaged with the health care system. More than one-half of adults with uncontrolled hypertension (57.8 million people) remained unaware of their hypertension status, despite nearly 70% reporting 2 or more health care clinician visits within the past year. Previous studies37 have documented that poor medication adherence and clinical time pressures, therapeutic inertia, and clinical workloads are barriers to hypertension diagnosis and control. Additionally, despite engagement with the health care system, we found that 70% of adults with uncontrolled hypertension who were aware of their condition reported taking antihypertensive medication. While antihypertensive medications are effective in reducing BP and preventing CVD across demographic groups,38 our results support existing evidence that a prescription alone does not guarantee improved hypertension control at the individual or population level. Efforts are needed to improve hypertension awareness and ensure effective control among those prescribed antihypertensive medications.

Evidence-based clinical and community-based efforts can improve outcomes across the hypertension control cascade. Clinical initiatives may include training and evaluation of accurate BP measurement using evidence-based hypertension guidelines, such as the vlog Hypertension Treatment Algorithm.39 These guidelines can improve hypertension control through medication treatment intensification, fixed dose combination therapy, nonadherence assessment, and frequent follow-up. Comprehensive process improvements, as outlined in the US Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension,40 and the Million Hearts Hypertension and Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Packages41 can further support these strategies.

Within the context of these established strategies, future reports and surveillance metrics may support their implementation across the hypertension control cascade. Possible metrics could include increasing health care visits for patients unaware of their hypertension status or with no visits in the past year, enhancing adherence to recommended BP medications, improving medication adherence rates, and increasing clinician adherence to the 2017 AHA/ACC guidelines. A 2023 AHA scientific statement42 addressing approaches to improving hypertension control, as well as specific strategies for priority populations, may guide strategies to achieve blood pressure control.43 Future research may explore engaging individuals with uncontrolled hypertension, particularly younger adults aged 18 to 44 years, individuals of reproductive age, and those who seldom visit health care clinicians. Enhancing clinical and patient awareness may be key for improving these cascade measures.

Limitations

Our study has several limitations. First, our findings are not generalizable to individuals who are institutionalized or to military personnel. Second, this study relied on self-reported antihypertensive medication use. Third, NHANES combines several race groups into non-Hispanic other, limiting interpretation and action within this groups. Third, our definition of hypertension is based on BP measurements taken during a single NHANES encounter, but 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines recommend diagnosing hypertension using multiple BP readings from separate occasions.

Conclusions

This cross-sectional study found a concerning gap in hypertension awareness among adults in the US with uncontrolled hypertension aged 18 to 44 years and those with more than 1 physician visit in the past year. Notably, most adults with uncontrolled hypertension reported using antihypertensive medications. These findings underscore the need for efforts to improve outcomes across levels of the hypertension control cascade.

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Article Information

Accepted for Publication: June 30, 2024.

Published: September 11, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.31997

Open Access: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC-BY License. © 2024 Richardson LC et al. vlog Open.

Corresponding Author: LaTonia C. Richardson, PhD, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30341 (lcrichardson@cdc.gov).

Author Contributions: Dr Richardson had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Vaughan, Wright, Coronado.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Richardson, Vaughan, Coronado.

Drafting of the manuscript: Richardson, Vaughan, Coronado.

Critical review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

Statistical analysis: Richardson.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Vaughan, Coronado.

Supervision: Wright, Coronado.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.

Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 2.

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