Over the past two decades, despite nationwide efforts to manage blood pressure, there has been a troubling rise in the number of older Americans being hospitalized due to sudden, severe spikes in blood pressure.
This issue has particularly affected Black Americans, with the highest hospitalization rates occurring in the southern United States.
A group of researchers from Yale University set out to determine whether there has been any improvement in preventing hospitalizations for these dangerous increases in blood pressure, known as acute hypertension, over the last 20 years.
Unfortunately, their findings show that the situation has not improved; in fact, it has worsened.
The researchers analyzed data from Medicare, focusing on people aged 65 and older. They discovered that between 1999 and 2019, hospitalizations for severe blood pressure spikes more than doubled.
The overall rate of hospitalizations for high blood pressure emergencies increased by an average of 5.6% per year during this period.
However, the rate of increase was even higher—6% per year—among Black Americans. This group also faced a three times higher risk of hospitalization for these emergencies between 2017 and 2019 compared to other groups.
These findings highlight a significant and growing health problem. When blood pressure rises suddenly and sharply, it requires immediate medical attention.
If left untreated, these spikes can lead to serious damage to vital organs, such as the heart and brain, potentially causing heart attacks or strokes.
The researchers also noted that the highest rates of hospitalizations for blood pressure spikes were found in the southern United States.
This region is known in medical literature as the “stroke belt” because it has historically had higher rates of stroke and related conditions, which are closely linked to high blood pressure.
To understand what constitutes high blood pressure, it’s important to know the basics. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and is typically presented as two numbers: systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number).
According to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, blood pressure is considered elevated when the systolic pressure is consistently 130 mm Hg or higher, or when the diastolic pressure is 80 mm Hg or higher.
The increase in hospitalizations despite ongoing public health efforts suggests that more needs to be done to manage blood pressure effectively, especially in vulnerable populations.
Factors contributing to high blood pressure include poor diet, lack of exercise, stress, and underlying health conditions.
In particular, Black Americans may face additional challenges, such as higher rates of stress and limited access to quality healthcare, which could explain their higher hospitalization rates.
The findings from this study underscore the need for more targeted interventions to address the growing problem of high blood pressure, especially among older adults and in regions with historically higher rates of related health issues.
It also points to the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring and lifestyle changes, such as healthier eating and regular physical activity, to prevent these dangerous spikes from occurring.
The study was published in the medical journal Circulation and was led by Dr. Yuan Lu and her team at Yale University. Their research sheds light on a critical public health issue and calls for urgent action to protect those at the highest risk.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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