50 Compelling High Blood Pressure Statistics & Facts

Do exercise, stick to a healthy diet, and take vitamins and minerals! Doctors constantly advise us to keep our hearts healthy, but how much do we actually listen?

According to these high blood pressure statistics, not very much. A third of hypertensive patients worldwide are not aware that they have this condition, and only one in four US adults has their BP under control.

How can you help yourself or others who might have hypertension? Regularly measuring your blood pressure is the first step.

Knowing who it affects, what puts people at risk, and, most importantly, how to manage raised blood pressure will put you on the right track towards successfully controlling your BP and potentially saving your life and the lives of others.

Key Hypertension Statistics to Help You Keep the Beat Going

Most adults with hypertension in the United States–92.1 million–do not have their hypertension under control
Approximately 805,000 Americans have a heart attack each year
There is a death every 36 seconds in the US due to cardiovascular diseases
Globally, around 7.6 million people die of high blood pressure every year
About 60% of people who have diabetes also have high blood pressure
Smoking doesn’t have a direct effect on high blood pressure
The global Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) market could be worth $9.3 billion by 2026
Costs related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) could rise to $1.1 trillion in 2035
Systolic blood pressure is a better predictor of future cardiovascular events and death
The consumption of fish oil reduces systolic blood pressure by 6 mm Hg

Basic Hypertension Facts

Hypertension is a disease or condition caused by high blood pressure. Hypertension causes severe health complications, some of these including stroke, heart disease, etc.

If not adequately managed, hypertension can also lead to death (either directly or indirectly).

In hypertensive patients, the pressure exerted on the arteries’ walls by the blood itself is unusually high and is considered medically unhealthy for the heart.

If blood pressure is allowed to remain high for extended periods, the victim might suffer from an enlarged heart that can lead to premature death.

According to the most recent high blood pressure statistics for 2021, keeping blood pressure under control is vital for preserving health and reducing cardiovascular diseases.

In the following paragraphs, we provide a general overview of some fundamental things to know about this threatening condition.

1. High blood pressure can affect anyone.

(Mayo Clinic)

Nearly everyone has experienced or will have elevated blood pressure at some point in their lives. The good news is that it’s easily detectable in regular medical examinations.

In addition to your doctor’s office, there are machines available in stores that will read your blood pressure levels in a heartbeat.

2. Blood pressure facts indicate that hypertension is also known as the “silent killer.”

(AHA, HHS)

The bad news about high blood pressure is that it can develop over time and usually has several related causes. Still, the most dangerous aspect of this condition is that it is asymptomatic.

The lack of apparent symptoms and people stating that they feel fine has resulted in almost 11 million US adults not being aware that they have high BP.

3. Most US adults with hypertension – 92.1 million – do not control their hypertension.

(Million Hearts)

Epidemiological statistics of hypertension reveal that out of this figure, only a meager 24.3 million are asked to follow the recommended lifestyle modifications as main means of treatment.

The remaining 67.8 million are advised to adopt both lifestyle modifications and prescription medication to manage their condition.

4. Blood pressure is measured in two numbers.

(Healthline)

The top number — according to any blood pressure facts sheet — is the systolic blood pressure. It measures the pressure in your blood vessels as your heart muscles contract, i.e., when your heart beats.

The bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure, which measures pressure when your heart relaxes.

5. Less than 120/80 mm Hg is considered to be normal blood pressure.

(CDC)

According to the CDC, the blood pressure guidelines from 2003 defined high blood pressure as consistently being 140/90 mm Hg or higher.

However, under the 2017 guidelines on high blood pressure, the facts show that physicians can diagnose patients with high hypertension if their blood pressure is consistently 130/80 mm Hg.

6. Elevated blood pressure reads between 120–129 mm Hg over 80 mm Hg.

(Healthline)

Elevated blood pressure is not as dangerous as hypertension, and medications are not usually prescribed.

But be warned: Elevated BP could quickly turn into high blood pressure if it isn’t adequately managed.

7. Blood pressure consistently at 140/90 mm Hg or higher is defined as stage 2 hypertension.

(AHA)

According to the facts about hypertension, stage 2 means that medical attention is required as well as a drastic lifestyle change. If your pressure is over 180/120 mm Hg, you should contact your doctor at once.

Experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath with these levels of BP means you need urgent medical attention.

8. Hypertension can be successfully managed in 9 out of 10 cases.

(CardioSecur)

A healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups can keep your blood pressure under control and help you avoid the development of other harmful health conditions.

How Common Is Hypertension?

According to the most recent statistics on blood pressure discovered during the pandemic, over 1 billion persons are globally affected by high blood pressure. However, only less than 20% of people affected by high blood pressure are aware that they have this sickness.

The primary reason for this small figure is that you can have high blood pressure for years without presenting with any symptoms.

Nonetheless, statistics of hypertension reveal that a few people may experience mild headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds due to the illness, especially when their condition has reached a critical stage.

One scary thing about hypertension is that it affects more people globally than HIV or AIDS.

That’s how common the illness is. However, we have pulled together more stats to highlight this disease’s prevalence in the following paragraphs.

9. Annually, approximately 805,000 Americans have a heart attack.

(CDC)

Hypertension statistics worldwide show that out of these attacks, 200,000 occurred to people who have already experienced a heart attack in the past, with the other 605,000 occurred to people for the first time.

10. Around 1.13 billion people on the planet have high blood pressure.

(WHO)

From this estimated number of people living with hypertension, less than one in five have it under control.

11. Almost 46% of American adults suffer from hypertension.

(WebMD, AHA, CDC)

Under the American Heart Association’s new guidelines on blood pressure, the number of people suffering from hypertension in America increased to around 103 million.

The new guidelines also put 36% of adults under recommendation for blood pressure medication, increasing their number from 72 million to 83 million, the hypertension statistics from 2018 reveal.

High blood pressure is the most prevalent heart disease in the US, mainly due to US citizens’ increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Approximately 18.2 million US adults have coronary artery disease (a complication of high blood pressure).

Some other factors contributing to the increase of hypertension amongst US citizens are smoking, being overweight or obese, high salt levels in their diet, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, genetics, etc.

12. The prevalence of hypertension is lowest in Western and Asian countries.

(WHO, The Economist)

According to epidemiological statistics of hypertension, two-thirds of the people affected by high blood pressure live in low- and middle-income countries.

Hence, it’s not surprising that affluent countries such as the US, Canada, and South Korea have some of the world’s lowest hypertension rates.

13. Mississippi has the highest hypertension mortality rate for high blood pressure, at 15.9%.

(CDC)

In terms of the number of deaths, the high blood pressure statistics indicate that California is ranked the highest, with 5,551 deaths per 100,000 total population.

Wyoming is ranked the lowest in high blood pressure death rates and the number of deaths (5.1% and 36 per 100,000 total population, respectively).

Consequences of High Blood Pressure

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to different complications, including:

Heart failure
Heart attack or stroke
Aneurysm
Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys
Trouble with memory or understanding

However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. Read on to discover more.

14. Every 36 seconds someone dies in the US due to cardiovascular diseases.

(CDC) (RTI)

According to the US hypertension mortality rates, that is about 655,000 deaths each year due to heart disease, and one out of every four deaths in the United States.

By 2035, it is projected that 45.1% of the US population will have at least one heart disease form.

15. A whopping 69% of people who have their first heart attack and 77% of first stroke victims also have high BP.

(WebMD, WHO)

Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of coronary diseases and stroke, both of which are the leading causes of death globally.

16. Hypertension is the primary risk factor of coronary heart disease.

(iMedPub) (Medical News Today)

Coronary heart disease is a condition that occurs when the coronary arteries (network of blood vessels on the surface of the heart) supplying the heart oxygen and blood becomes narrow, thereby limiting the entry of oxygen-rich blood into the heart.

Statistics on hypertension show that aside from high blood pressure, a build-up of cholesterol on the artery walls can also cause plaques that lead to the arteries narrowing.

A clot in the artery can also obstruct blood flow, thereby leading to coronary heart disease. Additionally, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common heart disease type in the US, killing more than 370,000 people each year.

17. Apart from cardiovascular disease (CVD), high BP can lead to many other complications.

(NIDDK, Fortune)

Hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney failure in the USA, preceded only by diabetes.

Furthermore, a January 2020 study on hypertension stats and emerging diseases found that nearly half of a group of 170 casualties from the coronavirus outbreak had high blood pressure.

18. Globally, around 7.6 million people die of high blood pressure every year.

(PubMed) (Mayo Clinic)

Can someone die from high blood pressure?

Well, Yes. Anyone suffering from high blood pressure may die from complications if they fail to undergo the necessary treatment for an extended period.

Facts about high blood pressure show that high blood pressure forces your heart to work harder when pumping blood to the rest of your body.

This causes the left ventricle (left part) of your heart to thicken, thereby increasing your risk of heart failure, heart attack, and sudden cardiac death.

Furthermore, high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, kidneys, and other vital organs in your body. Research has also shown genetic inheritance increases one’s chances of developing this condition.

19. Some studies link hypertension to dementia.

(CDC, Being Patient)

There is evidence that uncontrolled hypertension, usually in individuals between 45–65, increases the risk of cognitive impairment later in life.

Another study found that women who have high blood pressure in their 40s have 73% more chances of suffering from dementia later in life.

20. About 60% of people who have diabetes also have high blood pressure.

(WHO) (Johns Hopkins Medicine)

What’s more, credible high blood pressure stats inform us that people with diabetes are two times as likely to suffer from blood pressure than those without diabetes.

Furthermore, about two-thirds of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure with readings of over 130/80 mm Hg and use prescription medicines for hypertension.

21. Compared to healthy people, diabetic and high blood pressure patients are four times more likely to develop heart disease.

(Johns Hopkins Medicine) (WebMD)

Diabetes causes hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) connected to the heart, thereby increasing the possibility of high blood pressure. If left untreated, atherosclerosis can lead to blood vessel damage, diabetic eye disease, heart attack, and kidney failure.

However, according to statistics on high blood pressure in 2021, the good news is that by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, you can reduce the risk of diabetes occurring.

22. Every 40 seconds, someone in the US comes down with a stroke.

(CDC) (Medical News Today)

Stroke is a condition that occurs when the arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the brain are damaged or narrowed due to high blood pressure.

This loss of flow of blood to and from the heart can cause a stroke. Furthermore, CDC hypertension statistics tell us that stroke accounts for one out of every six deaths occurring due to cardiovascular disease in the US.

Who Is Most Affected by High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a disease that can affect anyone, from children to the elderly. However, hypertension statistics by race show that certain age groups, lifestyles, ethnicities, races, and genetics are affected by a higher blood pressure than others.

For example, research proves that people who are overweight, obese, or living an inactive lifestyle are more prone to high blood pressure than people who do the opposite.

However, that’s not all. Read on to discover other fun facts about blood pressure that we have pulled together.

23. Men are more prone to hypertension than women.

(The Economist, CDC, AHA)

A fifth of women and a quarter of men around the world are believed to have high BP. In the US, 47% of men and 43% of women suffer from this condition.

However, as people age, the tables turn. After the age of 65, women are more likely to have hypertension than men.

24. The hypertension rate among pregnant women in the US nearly doubled from 1993–2014.

(Medical News Today, CDC)

According to the CDC hypertension statistics, 6–8% of pregnant women between 20–44 are affected by hypertension.

High BP can cause several complications during pregnancy and birth, such as damaging the kidneys and other organs or even early delivery.

25. People over 45 are more likely to experience rising blood pressure.

(WebMD)

High blood pressure is a condition none of us can escape as we get older. Over 90% of adults in their 80s will develop hypertension, and nearly half of people will have it by the time they are 60, the blood pressure statistics suggest.

26. Kids and young people can have high blood pressure, too.

(CDC)

Blood pressure tends to rise with age, which doesn’t mean that younger individuals can’t develop hypertension too. Around one in four males between the ages of 35–44, and almost one in five women of the same age in the US have hypertension. On top of that, an estimated 2.6% of youths in the USA (around 800,000 people) have unhealthy blood pressure.

27. African American high blood pressure statistics show that blacks are more at risk of developing high blood pressure.

(CDC, AHA, CardioSmart)

More than half (54%) of African American adults are hypertensive. An extensive study monitoring participants for up to 30 years discovered that blacks are 1.5–2 times more at risk of high BP than whites. Additionally, hypertension develops at an earlier age among African-Americans and is usually more severe.

28. Hispanic adults have the lowest hypertension rate, high blood pressure statistics from 2019 reveal.

(CDC)

Around 36% of the US’s Hispanic population is affected by high BP, while the hypertension rates are also lower among non-Hispanic Asian adults, at 39%.

29. There is a direct link between obesity and hypertension.

(Medical News)

Obesity is the cause of unhealthy blood pressure in 78% of the hypertension cases among male patients and 65% among females.

30. Working long hours can increase blood pressure levels.

(Science Daily)

Here’s one of the more interesting facts about high blood pressure: A study of white-collar employees found that people who clock in more than 49 hours a week are 70% more at risk of developing a form of hypertension that isn’t registered in medical check-ups.

Office workers who did overtime for nine or more hours were 66% more likely to have hypertension than people who work for 35 hours or less.

31. Smoking doesn’t have a direct effect on high blood pressure.

(Onhealth)

When it comes to high blood pressure and stroke, the statistics prove that smoking can increase the risk of a CVA or heart attack in people already suffering from hypertension. Therefore, doctors recommend quitting smoking as one of the lifestyle changes to be made among hypertensive patients.

The Cost of Hypertension

High blood pressure statistics from 2020 reveal that people with blood pressure have medical costs that are nearly $2,000 more than their peers without blood pressure.

Additionally, expenses related to prescriptions, inpatient and outpatient care are two to three times higher for people with high blood pressure than those without the condition.

This results in billions of dollars being spent yearly on complications arising from high blood pressure.

In this section, with the aid of recent stats on high blood pressure costs, we present the financial burden imposed on the global economy by complications resulting from the disease.

32. The global Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) market could be worth $9.3 billion by 2026.

(iMedPub) (Cereno Scientific)

Pulmonary hypertension facts reveal that the global PAH market could grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2019- 2026. For reference, back in 2019, it had a value of $6.3 billion.

PAH is a high blood pressure disease that affects arteries found in the lungs and the heart. This disease is life-threatening and may lead to death if not adequately handled.

Changing lifestyle, robust drug pipeline, and increasing geriatric population contribute to increasing pulmonary arterial hypertension among the populace.

33. Hypertension makes up for 57 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally.

(WHO, Dove Press)

This translates to around 3.7% of total DALYs. Hypertension is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease.

Looking at the costs and statistics on hypertension, it’s also one of the most severe non-communicable medical conditions–it puts a considerable strain on the economy and health of a country.

34. Hypertension costs the US around $131 billion every year.

(CDC, AHA)

According to the study between 2003–2014, this surprisingly large amount covers health care services, prescription drugs, and missed workdays.

35. The global Stroke Diagnostics and Therapeutics market could reach an estimated value of $49,698.68 million by 2026.

(iMedPub)

According to expert predictions, the Stroke Diagnostics and Therapeutics market will grow at a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period of 2017-2026.

As of 2017, blood pressure facts sheet shows the market’s value sat at $23,849.39 million. Factors like technological advancement, a growing aging population, the increasing number of people affected by diabetes and high blood pressure help drive the tremendous growth seen in this market.

36. Hypertensive patients pay $1,920 more for health services than people who don’t have high blood pressure.

(AHA)

The hypertension statistics indicate that adults with unhealthy blood pressure spend nearly twice as much on outpatient costs, 2.5 times on inpatient costs, and almost three times more on prescription drugs and hypertension medication.

37. Hypertension costs the US $47.5 billion every year in direct medical expenses alone.

(AHA, NCBI)

This condition’s estimated expenditure is expected to increase from $110.6 in 2015 to $220.9 billion by 2035.

(PubMed) (Healthline)

In retrospect, CVD costs were $616 billion in 2015, and $555 billion in 2016. As tremendous as these figures might seem, blood pressure statistics indicate that they only cover some of the medication costs and productivity losses associated with CVD, failing to account for unpaid, informal, or family care provided to patients with these conditions.

Facts About High Blood Pressure: Management and Treatment

The narrower your arteries, the higher the increase in the arteries’ resistance to blood flow. This results in a concomitant rise in blood pressure and heightened risks for other health complications that may arise due to high blood pressure.

High blood pressure stats show that early detection of high blood pressure is critical for ease of treatment.

Treatment for high blood pressure includes both prescription medication and healthy lifestyle changes. Let’s look at the following stats and facts that explore the management and treatment options for this deadly illness.

39. Lowering blood pressure reduces your chances of heart failure by 50%.

(NCBI)

By treating and managing hypertension, you are 20–25% less likely to have a myocardial infarction and almost 40% less at risk of experiencing a stroke.

40. Systolic blood pressure is a better predictor of future cardiovascular events and death.

(HealthDay)

Nonetheless, facts about hypertension inform us that an abnormal reading from any or both of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure indicates the presence of an underlying health condition in any of the heart, brain, kidney, etc.

41. A range of medications is available for the treatment of hypertension.

(Healthline)

Medication usually prescribed for stage 2 hypertension includes ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers (that tighten the blood vessels), alpha-blockers and calcium channel blockers (that relax the arteries), and diuretics (that decrease the amount of fluid in the blood vessels).

42. Steer clear of sodium, facts about sodium and high blood pressure reveal.

(Healthline)

A diet rich in salt is one of the causes of unhealthy blood pressure. According to experts, people who have high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day.

(Medical News Today)

A combination of physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and a healthy diet will not only help you manage your high blood pressure but might also prevent the condition from ever developing.

Facts About Blood Pressure and Supplements

Aside from the different prescription medications that have proven beneficial in managing high blood pressure, many supplements have also shown potential in treating this condition.

Among them are magnesium, vitamin D, potassium, and a host of others. Let’s look at some hypertension stats and facts that speak on the effectiveness of these supplements in beating hypertension.

44. Dietary and herbal supplements provide many benefits to hypertensive patients with little to no side effects.

(NCBI)

Nutritional supplements are a safer alternative to traditional medicine because they have little to no adverse side effects.

45. Folic acid lowers the risk of gestational hypertension during pregnancy.

(Women and Birth, NCBI)

What’s more, supplements with a minimum of 5000 micrograms of folic acid can help slightly reduce systolic blood pressure and greatly benefit the body’s blood vessels.

46. According to high blood pressure statistics, fish oil consumption reduces systolic blood pressure by 6 mm Hg.

(NCBI)

Furthermore, the use of fish oil among hypertensive men for four months reduced DBP by five mm Hg.

47. Increasing potassium intake reduces blood pressure.

(Pharmacy Times)

Doubling potassium consumption is proven to reduce SBP by 4–8 mm Hg and DBP by 2.5–4 mm Hg among people with high blood pressure.

Potassium intake lowers the risk of CVD, stroke, and diabetes and improves overall health, the interesting facts about hypertension reveal.

48. Magnesium can lower blood pressure levels.

(Nature, NCBI)

Studies vary over this supplement’s effectiveness in reducing elevated BP; however, a 2012 survey indicated that magnesium supplementation reduced SBP by 3–4 mm Hg and DBP by 2–3 mm Hg.

There has been some indication that vitamin D is essential in keeping high blood pressure in check. However, several studies have concluded that there isn’t consistent evidence to support this claim.

49. Stats on hypertension suggest that a diet rich in fiber can reduce SBP and DBP by 7.5 and 5.5 mm Hg, respectively.

(Pharmacy Times, JAMA)

On top of that, fiber supplementation can reduce blood pressure, especially among older patients (over 40) and people who are already suffering from raised blood pressure.

50. Melatonin supplements can reduce nocturnal hypertension.

(NCBI, NCCIH)

The continuous use of melatonin is shown to lower nocturnal SBP by 6 and DBP by 4 mm Hg. Also, melatonin supplements improve sleep quality and quantity among patients who use beta-blockers to treat essential hypertension.

FAQs

What percentage of the population has high blood pressure?

Nearly a third of the population in the US is living with high blood pressure. Globally, some estimates show that 26% of the world’s population is affected by high BP, a number expected to increase to 29% by 2025.

What is the number 1 cause of high blood pressure?

It’s difficult to pinpoint one single cause for high blood pressure. Still, some of the most common reasons include obesity, sleep apnea, congenital conditions, kidney issues, and the use of certain medications, drugs, and alcohol.

In most cases, or 95%, the cause for increased BP levels is unknown — a condition known as essential hypertension.

What country has the highest blood pressure?

Raised blood pressure levels have remained high in central and eastern Europe over almost four decades; however, a shift has been noted from high- to low-income countries. According to the WHO data, the highest percentage of men with hypertension is found in central and eastern Europe. In contrast, the highest concentration of hypertension cases among women is recorded in Africa.

Which race has the highest rate of high blood pressure?

Blacks are more at risk of hypertension than other races. Scientists are not exactly sure why this is the case, although some suspect it’s primarily due to genetic and environmental factors. Salt consumption and obesity play an important role, both of which are classified as high blood pressure causes and are higher among African-Americans in the US.

Bottom Line

Being diagnosed with high blood pressure is not the end of the world. In fact, hypertension is an easily manageable condition. With the proper treatment and carefully controlled diet and lifestyle, there’s no reason why high blood pressure should impact your quality of life.

Hopefully, these high blood pressure statistics will arm you with all the information you’ll ever need, never to miss a beat when it comes to this condition.