Prevalence of Hypertension in the U.S. Adults: Age, Sex, Marital Status, and Ethnic Differences

Abstract

Abstract Hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Up-to-date prevalence data on hypertension provide the foundation for informing population research, education, and health policy. We sought to determine differences in the prevalence of hypertension in the U.S. population according to age, sex, ethnicity, and marital status.We performed an observational, cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of the US civilian noninstitutionalized population 2013 through 2018 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) to determine hypertension prevalence rates.A total of 7458 participants had hypertension. The weighted prevalence of hypertension among US adults ages 18 years and older was 39.5% (95% CI, 37.10–41.89%), which represented an estimated 92.4 million persons in the United States. black participants 47.65% (CI, 45.57 to 49.73), white 40.97% (38.94 to 43.00), other racial 35.14% (31.87 to 38.42), and Hispanic 29.87% (27.60 to 32.13). Across ethnic groups, males were more likely to have hypertension, except black participants. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age. Persons with > = 75 years: OR 13.82(95%CI 11.56–16.52); male: OR 1.29(95%CI 1.17–1.42); separated: OR 1.74(95%CI 1.43–2.10) had higher rates of hypertension when compared to lowest categories.As prevalence of hypertension in the US are rising, with age, sex, marital status, and racial/ethnic minority individuals being disproportionately impacted by hypertension, targeted public health efforts may reduce health disparities and decrease the overall population burden of hypertension.