A new study from Yale University has revealed a serious health concern: more older Americans are being hospitalized for sudden, dangerous spikes in blood pressure than ever before.
Over the last 20 years, the number of hospital visits for this issue has more than doubled.
The researchers looked at data from people aged 65 and older who are on Medicare, covering the years from 1999 to 2019. Instead of improving, the situation has gotten worse. Each year, hospitalizations for severe blood pressure spikes—called hypertensive emergencies—increased by about 5.6%.
These emergencies happen when blood pressure gets very high, often above 130/80 mm Hg, and they can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or damage to other important organs if not treated right away. These are life-threatening situations that require fast medical help.
The problem is even more serious for Black Americans. Their rate of hospitalization increased by 6% each year. Between 2017 and 2019, they were three times more likely to be hospitalized for these emergencies than other groups.
The researchers also found that people living in the southern U.S.—a region sometimes called the “stroke belt” because of its high rates of heart and stroke problems—had the highest rates of hospitalization. This points to ongoing problems in managing high blood pressure in certain areas of the country.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Yuan Lu, said this trend shows that many people either don’t know they have high blood pressure, aren’t controlling it properly, or aren’t getting enough medical help.
Even though we know that high blood pressure increases the risk of deadly conditions, more people are ending up in the hospital due to poor management of the problem.
What’s especially troubling is that these issues are hitting vulnerable communities the hardest. Black Americans not only have higher rates of high blood pressure but also face more serious health problems as a result.
Experts say this is likely due to a mix of challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, lower income, and other social and economic factors.
Even though there have been big improvements in how we detect and treat high blood pressure, this study shows that more work needs to be done—especially in communities that are most at risk.
Doctors, health leaders, and policymakers need to come together to find better ways to help people manage their blood pressure before it turns into a life-threatening emergency. Better education, access to care, and support for healthy lifestyles could make a big difference.
This important study was published in the journal Circulation. It’s a powerful reminder that high blood pressure is a serious but manageable condition. With more focus and effort, we can help prevent hospitalizations and save lives—especially among older adults and those in communities that need support the most.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about the ideal blood pressure for older people and common high blood pressure drugs may cause memory problems.
For more about blood pressure, please read studies about A common blood pressure medication that could help you live longer and 1 in 5 people with high blood pressure takes a medication that harms blood pressure.
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