Hypertension in the United States, 1999 to 2012CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE: Progress Toward Healthy People 2020 Goals

Background— To reduce the cardiovascular disease burden, Healthy People 2020 established US hypertension goals for adults to (1) decrease the prevalence to 26.9% and (2) raise treatment to 69.5% and control to 61.2%, which requires controlling 88.1% on treatment. Methods and Results— To assess the current status and progress toward these Healthy People 2020 goals, time trends in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1999 to 2012 data in 2-year blocks were assessed in adults ≥18 years of age age-adjusted to US 2010. From 1999 to 2000 to 2011 to 2012, prevalent hypertension was unchanged (30.1% versus 30.8%, P =0.32). Hypertension treatment (59.8% versus 74.7%, P P =0.0015) increased. Hypertension control to P Conclusions— The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2012 analysis suggests that Healthy People 2020 goals for hypertension ([1] prevalence shows no progress, [2] treatment was exceeded, and [3] control) have flattened below target. Findings are consistent with evidence that (1) obesity prevention and treatment could reduce prevalent hypertension, and (2) healthcare insurance, ≥2 healthcare visits per year, and guideline-based cholesterol treatment could improve hypertension control.