High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major health issue in the United States, affecting nearly half of all adults. It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and other serious conditions.
The condition is diagnosed when blood pressure is 130/80 mmHg or higher, according to guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology.
A recent study from Rutgers University found that certain groups—younger men and older women—are more likely to have high blood pressure that remains uncontrolled, even when taking medication.
This means their blood pressure stays too high despite treatment, putting them at greater health risk. The findings suggest that these groups might need more frequent blood pressure monitoring and better treatment strategies.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The study analyzed data from over 13,000 adults who were taking medication for high blood pressure. The researchers found that 34% of them still had uncontrolled hypertension, meaning their blood pressure remained above healthy levels.
Looking at different age groups, the study found clear patterns:
- Men in their 20s were 59% more likely than women to have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- In their 30s, men were 70% more likely to have the problem, the highest gap seen in the study.
- In their 40s, men were still 47% more likely than women to have uncontrolled hypertension.
- In their 50s and 60s, the risk was about the same for men and women.
- For people 70 and older, women became more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- In their 70s, women were 29% more likely than men to have the problem.
- In their 80s and beyond, the gap widened, with women 63% more likely than men to have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
What This Means for Treatment
These findings highlight a hidden issue—younger men and older women may not be receiving the right blood pressure management. Younger men might need earlier and more aggressive treatment, while older women may require closer monitoring and adjustments to their medications.
The reasons behind these patterns are not yet fully understood, but they may be related to hormonal changes, differences in blood vessel function, or medication effectiveness. The researchers suggest that more awareness and further studies are needed to improve treatment strategies for these high-risk groups.
What You Can Do
If you are a younger man or an older woman, you may want to:
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly to detect any changes early.
- Talk to your doctor if your blood pressure remains high despite medication.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management.
- Stay informed about the latest research on blood pressure management.
By understanding who is at higher risk and improving treatment approaches, healthcare providers can help reduce the dangers of uncontrolled hypertension and its serious complications.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and people with severe high blood pressure should reduce coffee intake.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
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