Controlling Blood Pressure Works

Since the National High Blood Pressure Education Program was established in 1972, awareness, prevention, treatment and control of hypertension have improved. According to measurements taken in 1976-80 and again in 1988-91,

• Among people with hypertension, treatment increased from 31 to 55%.
• The percentage of people whose high blood pressure is controlled to below 140/90 mmHg increased from 10% to 29%.
• Age-adjusted death rates from stroke declined by nearly 60% and from coronary heart disease by 53%.
• One-half of the reduction in stroke mortality in white women over 50 and nearly two-thirds of the benefit among African American women can be attributed to the fall in blood pressure.

However, these improvements are leveling off. Repeat measurements show that, since 1993, age-adjusted stroke rates have risen slightly, and the decline in coronary heart disease is less pronounced. Rates have increased for the incidence of end-stage kidney disease, and the prevalence of heart failure -- both of which are associated with hypertension.