A recent data brief from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) highlights a concerning trend: nearly half of U.S. adults were found to have hypertension between August 2021 and August 2023. According to the report, 47.7 percent of adults were affected by high blood pressure during this period, with men experiencing higher rates of hypertension than women.

The study, led by Cheryl D. Fryar, M.S.P.H., and her team at NCHS, analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among U.S. adults. Their findings reveal that 50.8 percent of men had high blood pressure, compared to 44.6 percent of women. The likelihood of developing hypertension also increased significantly with age, with 23.4 percent of adults aged 18 to 39 affected, 52.5 percent of those aged 40 to 59, and a striking 71.6 percent of adults aged 60 and older living with the condition.

Despite the widespread prevalence of hypertension, awareness among those affected remains relatively low. The report shows that just 59.2 percent of individuals with high blood pressure were aware of their condition. Even more concerning, only 51.2 percent of those diagnosed were receiving treatment through medication aimed at lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, only one in five adults with hypertension—20.7 percent—had their condition under control, meaning their blood pressure was below the target of 130/80 mm Hg.

When compared to previous years, the report noted that there has been no significant change in the awareness, treatment, or control of hypertension between 2017 and March 2020 and the period of August 2021 to August 2023.

The findings are a reminder that more progress is needed to meet public health goals. "Based on recent national data from August 2021 through August 2023, the prevalence of hypertension remains above the Healthy People 2030 target goal to lower blood pressure to 41.9 percent of the population or below," the report stated. While the percentage of adults with controlled hypertension (20.7 percent) exceeds the Healthy People 2030 goal of 18.9 percent, much work remains to reduce the overall prevalence of the condition.

As hypertension continues to pose a major public health challenge, the study underscores the need for greater awareness, preventive measures, and effective treatment to manage and control high blood pressure across the U.S. population.