PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION IN THE US ADULT-POPULATION - RESULTS FROM THE 3RD NATIONAL-HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY, 1988-1991

The purpose of this study was to estimate the current prevalence and d istribution of hypertension and to determine the status of hypertensio n awareness, treatment, and control in the US adult population. The st udy used a cross-sectional survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalize d population of the United States, including an in-home interview and a clinic examination, each of which included measurement of blood pres sure. Data for 9901 participants 18 years of age and older from phase 1 of the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, colle cted from 1988 through 1991, were used. Twenty-four percent of the US adult population representing 43 186 000 persons had hypertension. The age-adjusted prevalence in the non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white , and Mexican American populations was 32.4%, 23.3%, and 22.6%, respec tively. Overall, two thirds of the population with hypertension were a ware of their diagnosis (69%), and a majority were taking prescribed m edication (53%). Only one third of Mexican Americans with hypertension were being treated (35%), and only 14% achieved control in contrast t o 25% and 24% of the non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white populat ions with hypertension, respectively. Almost 13 million adults classif ied as being normotensive reported being told on one or more occasions that they had hypertension; 51% of this group reported current adhere nce to lifestyle changes to control their hypertension. Hypertension c ontinues to be a common finding in the general population. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension have improved substantially sin ce the 1976-1980 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey but continue to be suboptimal, especially in Mexican Americans. Considerat ion should be given to revision of the criteria for classification of hypertension to reflect the widespread use of lifestyle modification f or treatment of hypertension.