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Understanding Hypertension Risks

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. There is a continuous relationship between elevated blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart disease. One in three Americans over 18 has hypertension, with higher rates in older individuals, women, and black Americans. While blood pressure control has improved overall, control remains suboptimal in people with conditions like chronic kidney disease.

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30 views1 page

Understanding Hypertension Risks

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher. There is a continuous relationship between elevated blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart disease. One in three Americans over 18 has hypertension, with higher rates in older individuals, women, and black Americans. While blood pressure control has improved overall, control remains suboptimal in people with conditions like chronic kidney disease.

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rahuldolly
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HYPERTENSION

Definition and Etiology Normal or optimal blood pressure (BP) is defined as the level above which minimal vascular damage occurs. There is a continuous, consistent, and independent relationship between elevated BP and risk of cardiovascular events. This was clearly demonstrated in a meta-analysis that included 1,000,000 individuals with no history of vascular disease. Among this group, during 12.7 million person-years at risk, there were about 56000 deaths categorized as vascular in origin (12000 stroke, 34000 ischemic heart disease, and 10000 other vascular) and 66000 other deaths at ages 40-89 years.1 Results from this study demonstrated that a BP level lower than 115/75 mmHg appears to better define optimal BP.1 According to the Joint National Committee 7 (JNC 7), hypertension is defined as physician office systolic BP level of 140mmHg and diastolic BP of 90mmHg. The JNC 7 defines normal BP as a systolic BP <120mmHg and diastolic BP <80mmHg. The gray area between systolic BP of 120-139 mmHg and diastolic BP of 80-89 mmHg is defined as prehypertension.2 Back to Top Prevalence and Risk Factors One in 3 Americans over the age of 18 years suffers from hypertension. The prevalence is higher among older individuals, women and non-Hispanic blacks. Despite the increase in prevalence, recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) demonstrate an improvement in blood pressure control (50%) among Americans with hypertension.3 However, the blood pressure control rate remains suboptimal in people who have serious comorbid conditions such as chronic kidney disease. In a survey of patients with chronic kidney disease, BP control was found to be just 13.2%.4 On a global level, hypertension is a greater problem, with 13.5% of all deaths attributed to BP-related diseases. Individuals in lower economic strata are disproportionately afflicted with hypertension.5 The prevalence of hypertension increases progressively with age. Results from the Framingham study demonstrate that among middle-aged and elderly persons, the residual lifetime risk of developing hypertension is 90%.6 In the majority of patients (95%), hypertension is primary or idiopathic; there is no identifiable risk factor. The remainder of these patients have hypertension caused by renovascular disease, primary aldosteronism, etc.

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