Сhapter from a book : Hypertension statistics in US : what tells us figures

Dear reader, I suggest you look at the scale of the problem called “hypertension”. Statistical data will show us how things stand with the prevalence of hypertension among people, how deeply it has affected and affects the population, that is, what negative effect this pathology has on society as a whole.

General data.

In general, around the world, it is believed that about 25% of the adult population suffers from primary hypertension.

And here is what about the USA.

Here are some key statistics about the prevalence of essential hypertension in the USA:

Look at Prevalence: Approximately 47.7% of U.S. adults  had hypertension between August 2021 and August 2023. This prevalence was higher in men (50.8%) than in women (44.6%).

Here is Age Distribution:

– 18-39 years: 23.4%.

– 40-59 years: 52.5%.

– 60 years and older: 71.6%.

Here is Awareness and Treatment:

– About 59.2% of adults with hypertension were aware of their condition.

– More than half (51.2%) were taking medication to lower their blood pressure.

– Approximately 20.7% had their blood pressure controlled to less than 130/80 mm Hg.- Number of Adults with Hypertension: It is estimated that nearly half of U.S. adults, or about 119.9 million people, have hypertension.

 (data taken from here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db511.htm )

Here are some statistics on concomitant diseases in patients with primary hypertension, focusing on obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis:

1. Obesity:

• Prevalence: Obesity is a common pathology in hypertensive patients. Studies suggest that a significant portion of individuals with hypertension also have obesity, though specific percentages can vary widely.
• Association: Obesity is strongly linked with hypertension due to factors like insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

2. Diabetes Mellitus:

• Prevalence: Approximately 25% to 30% of patients with hypertension also have diabetes. The coexistence of these conditions complicates management and increases cardiovascular risk.
• Impact: Hypertension and diabetes together significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular and renal complications.

3. Atherosclerosis:

• Prevalence: Atherosclerosis is a common underlying condition in hypertensive patients, contributing to cardiovascular disease. While specific prevalence figures are not always reported, it is well-established that hypertension accelerates atherosclerosis.
• Impact: Atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients increases the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease .

4. Other Concomitant Conditions:

• Dyslipidemia: More than 64% of patients with hypertension have high blood fat levels, indicating a strong association between hypertension and dyslipidemia.
• Gastrointestinal Diseases: Conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers are also common among hypertensive patients, sharing similar etiological links.

These statistics highlight the complexity of hypertension treatment due to the frequent presence of other chronic conditions.

 (data taken from here:  https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN54275632 )

Primary hypertension can lead to several serious complications if left unmanaged. Here are some key statistics and insights into the complications associated with primary hypertension:

1. Cardiovascular Complications:

• Myocardial Infarction (MI): Hypertension significantly increases the risk of MI. For every 20 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure above 120 mm Hg, the mortality from the infarction doubles.
• Stroke: The risk of stroke also doubles with similar increases in blood pressure. Hypertension is a major risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
• Heart Failure: Hypertension can lead to heart failure by increasing the workload on the heart. Antihypertensive therapy can reduce the incidence of heart failure by more than 50%.

2. Renal Complications:

• End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): Hypertension is a significant risk factor for developing ESRD. The relative risk of ESRD increases with higher blood pressure levels.

3. Mortality and Morbidity:

• Deaths Attributed to Hypertension: In the United States, high blood pressure was a primary or contributing cause of approximately 685,875 deaths in 2022.
• Global Impact: Worldwide, raised blood pressure causes about 7.5 million deaths annually, accounting for 12.8% of all deaths.

4. Other Complications:

• Hypertensive Retinopathy: This condition is associated with an increased risk of stroke, even in patients with well-controlled blood pressure.
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Hypertension increases the risk of PAD, which can lead to limb ischemia and other complications.

As you can see, the picture that emerges is quite serious.