High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a very common health problem. Nearly half of all adults in the United States have it. According to the American Heart Association, having high blood pressure increases the risk of serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and other health issues.
Doctors define high blood pressure as having a systolic blood pressure—the top number—of 130 or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure—the bottom number—of 80 or higher, based on guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.
A recent study by scientists at Rutgers University found that younger men and older women are more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure, even when they are taking medications to treat it.
The researchers looked at health information from over 13,000 people who were part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2018. All of the participants were taking blood pressure medications.
The study found that about 34% of the people had uncontrolled high blood pressure despite being on treatment. When comparing different age groups, the researchers saw that men were more likely than women to have uncontrolled blood pressure in their 20s and 30s.
This difference was the greatest during the 30s. By the time people reached their 40s, men were still 47% more likely than women to have uncontrolled hypertension.
However, starting in their 50s and 60s, men and women had about the same chances of having uncontrolled high blood pressure. Then, for people aged 70 and older, the pattern changed: women became 29% more likely than men to have uncontrolled blood pressure. Among those in their 80s and beyond, women were 63% more likely to have the problem compared to men.
The researchers say that more awareness is needed about the risks of uncontrolled hypertension in both younger men and older women. They also call for more research to better understand why these patterns happen.
High blood pressure can be silent, meaning you might not feel any symptoms, but it can still cause damage inside the body. That’s why regular blood pressure checks are important, especially for people at higher risk.
Several factors can raise the risk of developing high blood pressure. Age is a major factor—risk goes up as you get older. Family history matters too; if your parents or close relatives had high blood pressure, you are more likely to develop it yourself. Certain racial and ethnic groups, such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans, also have higher risks.
Gender also plays a role. Men tend to develop high blood pressure earlier in life, but after menopause, women’s risk catches up and can even surpass men’s.
Lifestyle habits are very important. Eating too much salt, not getting enough exercise, being overweight or obese, and smoking all increase the risk. Chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea also raise the risk. Stress, especially when it is long-term, can add to the problem too.
Because high blood pressure often has no clear symptoms, it is important to get regular check-ups and to work with your healthcare provider if you are at risk. Managing blood pressure usually involves eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking medications when needed.
By understanding the risks and taking action early, especially for younger men and older women, we can better protect heart health and overall well-being.
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