A new study has found that four out of five American adults with high blood pressure are not keeping it under control. This puts them at greater risk for serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and even dementia.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, offers a wake-up call about how many people are missing out on treatment that could save their lives.
The study looked at data from over 3,200 adults collected between 2021 and 2023 through a national health survey. Researchers found that 79% of people with high blood pressure had not reached a healthy level. The goal, according to the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, is to keep blood pressure below 130 over 80.
One of the most surprising findings was that most of these people do have access to health care. In fact, more than 80% had health insurance and said they had a regular place to go for care. That means the issue isn’t just about getting in to see a doctor. Something else is standing in the way.
Even more concerning, the study found that 61% of people with uncontrolled blood pressure were not even taking medication to help manage it. Researchers pointed out that many of these people were only about 10 points above their target level. With medication and a few changes in daily habits, they could likely reach a healthier range.
Dr. Shakia Hardy, who led the research team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, explained that this shows how much room there is to improve treatment. Even small steps could make a big difference.
Other health experts agree. Dr. Benjamin Hirsh, director of preventive cardiology at Northwell Health in New York, said this study shows we’re missing opportunities to treat high blood pressure before it causes harm. “Not treating high blood pressure can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and damage to organs like the kidneys,” he said.
But medications aren’t the only way to control blood pressure. Lifestyle changes are just as important, and in some cases, they may be enough.
One key step is reducing how much salt you eat. Many people are “salt sensitive,” meaning their blood pressure rises quickly even with small amounts of salt. Watching out for salt in packaged and restaurant foods—not just what you sprinkle on your plate—is important.
Dr. Hirsh also recommends that people keep track of their blood pressure at home. Many pharmacies sell reliable blood pressure monitors at low cost. Writing down your readings throughout the day can help you and your doctor understand how your blood pressure changes over time.
In summary, most people with high blood pressure in the U.S. aren’t getting it under control, even though they often have access to doctors and health care.
Many are not using medications or making simple lifestyle changes that could improve their health. Paying closer attention to salt, using home monitors, and starting treatment even for small increases in blood pressure could prevent serious problems in the future.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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