Blood pressure levels and hypertension in persons ages 6-74 years: United States, 1976-80.

Hypertension or substantially elevated blood pres­ sure is one of the more prevalent chronic conditions lmownto increase the risk ofdevelopingcirculatory dis­ eases, particularly heart disease and stroke. 1-4 Circula­ ory diseases are the leading cause of death and of hos­ e pitalization in the United States. This report presents national estimates for blood pressure levels, the preva­ lence of known and previously undiagnosed hyperten­ sion, and the extent of use of antihypertensive medica­ tion in the general U.S. population during the period 1976–80. The data are from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used a probability cross-sectional sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population ages 6–74 years in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.s Trends since 1960 in the extent of treatment awareness, and control among those with hypertension are also shown.