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

Controlling high blood pressure is a long-term commitment to health. According to cardiologist Dr. Andrew Freeman, high blood pressure amplifies a lot of risk, and being aggressive about blood pressure is very low-hanging fruit. The study found that becoming eligible to receive blood pressure medication was associated with a 23% lower risk of dying compared with no treatment.

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.

Treatment and Prevention

Any eligible person shouldn’t hesitate to start taking medication in addition to making lifestyle changes to reduce long-term risks. The study also found that adults with diabetes would benefit most from treatment. This is because diabetes and high blood pressure often occur together, significantly increasing cardiovascular risk.

Medication only works when it’s inside the person, and not sitting in the bottle unused. About half of adults in the US with high blood pressure don’t regularly take their prescribed medication. Dr. Freeman recommends trying to form a habit, such as keeping your pillbox next to an alarm or toothbrush.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.