On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Baseline: 45.0 percent of adults aged 18 years and over had hypertension in 2017-20
Target: 41.9 percent
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
From the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey:
Numerator:
{Have you/Has SP} ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that {you/s/he} had hypertension, also called high blood pressure?- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
Methodology notes
Adults are defined as having high blood pressure/hypertension if they either: (a) have a measurement of mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥130 mm Hg or (b) mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥80 mm Hg or (c) report that they are taking high blood pressure medicine.
Blood pressure is measured by averaging up to 3 blood pressure readings taken during the physical examination in the NHANES mobile examination center.
Blood pressure has been measured with the mercury sphygmomanometer for many years but with new technologies available, alternative blood pressure devices have taken center stage. The rapid pace of the development of automated sphygmomanometers with improving accuracy and reliability combined with increasing affordability has meant that these devices have now replaced the mercury sphygmomanometer in many settings. A detailed description of the procedures for blood pressure measurement in the NHANES has been published elsewhere.
Age-adjustment notes
This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:
- Total: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Sex: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Race/Ethnicity: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Educational Attainment: 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Family Income (percent poverty guidelines): 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Health Insurance Status: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64
- Marital Status: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Country of Birth: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Veteran Status: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Activity Limitations: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Obesity Status: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
- Diabetes Status: 18-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
History
- Revised.
In 2022, the baseline was revised from 29.5% in 2013-2016 to 45.7% in 2017-2020 for consistency with the new 2017 guidelines on high blood pressure in adults released by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association released. As part of the new guidelines, the categorization of high blood pressure was changed from the previous definition recommended in the Joint National Committee 7 report. The categorization of high blood pressure was modified from a systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mm Hg to ≥130 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mm Hg to ≥80 mm Hg. The target was revised from 27.7% to 42.6% using the original target setting method.
- Revised.
In 2023, the baseline was revised from 45.7% to 45.0% due to a change in exclusion criteria for this objective. The mean systolic and mean diastolic blood pressures must not be missing. The target was revised from 42.6% to 41.9% using the original target setting method.
1. Target setting method has been revised. See Data Methodology and Measurement for more information.