Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the United States with untreated high blood pressure would benefit from treatment and are not getting it, according to a new study. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2009 to 2018.
Importance of Controlling High Blood Pressure
The study found that becoming eligible to receive blood pressure medication was associated with a 23% lower risk of dying compared with no treatment. When it comes to the chances of dying from a heart-related issue, risk dropped by 50%. Adults with diabetes would benefit most from treatment, as diabetes and high blood pressure often occur together, significantly increasing cardiovascular risk.
Doctors want blood pressure to fall below 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic. If blood pressure is around 130/80, doctors have typically advised people to make changes to their lifestyle, such as increasing exercise. The American Heart Association’s new PREVENT tool considers blood sugar, kidney function, and a person’s decade-long risk for heart disease as well as blood pressure.
Cardiologist Dr. Andrew Freeman recommends trying to form a habit, such as keeping your pillbox next to an alarm or toothbrush, to remember to take prescribed medication. About half of adults in the US with high blood pressure don’t regularly take their prescribed medication.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
