Hypertension Prevalence and Medication Use in the US

Core Concepts

Hypertension prevalence in the US remained stable at 30% post-2017 guidelines, with a 3% rise in antihypertensive medication use.

Abstract

TOPLINE: Hypertension prevalence stable at 30% in the US. Antihypertensive medication use increased by 3%. METHODOLOGY: Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System analyzed. Defined hypertension and treatment criteria. Assessed by various demographics. TAKEAWAY: Analyzed samples from 2017, 2019, and 2021. Hypertension prevalence remained at 30%. Antihypertensive medication use increased by 3.1%. Medication use varied across demographics and states. IN PRACTICE: Findings can aid in hypertension awareness and management. SOURCE: Study led by Ahlia Sekkarie, PhD, published in MMWR. LIMITATIONS: Based on self-report data. Low response rates may affect estimates. Exclusions of certain populations and small sample sizes noted. DISCLOSURES: No specific funding reported, no conflicts of interest.

Stats

Hypertension prevalence in the US remained stable at 30%. Antihypertensive medication use among individuals with hypertension increased by 3.1 percentage points. Prevalence of medication use was higher among women than men (68.5% vs 59.4%). Among adults aged ≥ 65 years, medication use was 92.5% compared to 42.5% in those aged 18-44 years. Black patients had a higher prevalence of medication use compared to White patients (71.3% vs 62%).

Quotes

Key Insights Distilled From

Hypertension Stable in US, Antihypertensive Med Use Rises

by Marilynn Lar... at www.medscape.com 03-11-2024

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/hypertension-stable-us-antihypertensive-med-use-rises-2024a10004jm

Deeper Inquiries

How can public health campaigns leverage these findings to improve hypertension management

Public health campaigns can leverage these findings to improve hypertension management by focusing on increasing awareness of the condition, promoting lifestyle modifications, and encouraging antihypertensive medication use. By highlighting the stable prevalence of hypertension and the rise in medication use, campaigns can emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, adherence to treatment, and regular monitoring of blood pressure. Targeted interventions can be designed to reach specific demographic groups with higher disparities in medication use, such as older adults, women, and Black patients. Additionally, efforts can be made to reduce barriers to accessing healthcare services, including medication affordability and availability, to ensure optimal blood pressure control across all populations.

What are the potential drawbacks of relying on self-reported data for healthcare research

Relying on self-reported data for healthcare research has several potential drawbacks. Firstly, self-reported data may be subject to recall bias, leading to inaccuracies in reporting diagnosed hypertension or medication use. Individuals may overestimate or underestimate their condition or treatment, affecting the validity of the findings. Moreover, self-reported data may not capture the full spectrum of hypertension prevalence, as some individuals may be unaware of their condition or may not disclose it during surveys. Additionally, self-reported data may lack clinical validation, potentially leading to misclassification of individuals as having hypertension or being on medication. These limitations highlight the need for complementary sources of data, such as clinical records or objective measurements, to validate self-reported information in healthcare research.

How might socioeconomic factors influence the disparities in medication use among different demographic groups

Socioeconomic factors can significantly influence the disparities in medication use among different demographic groups. Individuals with lower socioeconomic status may face barriers to accessing healthcare services, including affordability of medications, transportation to healthcare facilities, and availability of healthcare providers. These barriers can result in disparities in medication use, with marginalized populations being less likely to receive appropriate treatment for hypertension. Additionally, social determinants of health, such as education level and income, can impact health literacy, medication adherence, and overall health outcomes. Public health interventions aimed at addressing socioeconomic factors, such as providing financial assistance for medications, improving healthcare access in underserved communities, and promoting health education programs, can help reduce disparities in medication use and improve hypertension management among diverse demographic groups.