The prevalence of hypertension among US adults remained unchanged after the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (47.7% vs 49.5%; PR 0.96, p=0.15).
Cross-Sectional (n=14,449)
Yes
Did hypertension prevalence, awareness, and control change in US adults after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Hypertension prevalence, awareness, and control in the US remained poor and unchanged after the COVID-19 pandemic, with control worsening in men and awareness declining in younger adults.
Relative Risk: 0.96 (95% CI 0.9–1.02)
Absolute Event Rate: 47.7% vs 49.5%
p-value: p=0.15
Hypertension is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, but national trends in hypertension after the COVID-19 pandemic remain unknown. We analyzed NHANES data from pre-pandemic (2017-March 2020) and post-pandemic (August 2021-August 2023) surveys to determine nationwide prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension. Weighted, age-standardized prevalence estimates were compared using Poisson regression with prevalence ratios (PRs). Among 14 449 participants representing 237 million US adults, hypertension prevalence was 49.5% pre-pandemic versus 47.7% post-pandemic (PR 0.96; p = 0.15). Overall, hypertension awareness was unchanged (57.7% vs. 53.7%; PR 0.96; p = 0.14) but declined among adults aged 18-39 years (PR 0.78; p = 0.02). Blood pressure control remained low (25.9% vs. 22.3%; PR 0.91; p = 0.06) and worsened in men (PR 0.83; p = 0.01). In conclusion, hypertension prevalence, awareness, and control did not significantly improve post-pandemic. More aggressive public health efforts are needed to reduce the adverse impacts of hypertension in the United States.
Essa et al. (Tue,) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=14,449). Post-COVID-19 pandemic period (August 2021–August 2023) vs. Pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (2017–March 2020) was evaluated on Hypertension prevalence (PR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90-1.02, p=0.15). The prevalence of hypertension among US adults remained unchanged after the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (47.7% vs 49.5%; PR 0.96, p=0.15).