High Blood Pressure

Indicator Definition
Percent of adults (ages 18–64 years) who have been told by a doctor, nurse or other health professional they have high blood pressure (excludes gestational hypertension).

Adults with hypertension in Colorado4

Adults with hypertension by sex in Colorado5

Indicator Significance
Hypertension or high-blood pressure affects one in four Americans over age 18. Hypertension is a gateway to other life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and renal failure. It is the main factor in kidney distress, and is a leading cause of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Obesity and diabetes increase the risk of hypertension, which is preventable by maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and refraining from tobacco products. For some individuals, medication may be necessary to lower hypertension and should be taken in accordance with a doctor’s advice.¹

Colorado Specifics
Compared to other states, Colorado fares well in the self-reported incidence of hypertension among working-age adults, ranking third after Utah and Minnesota. Colorado’s rate for adults is 16 percent, which is equal to the Healthy People 2010 target for persons age 20 and older. Because the incidence of hypertension increases with age, the rate for older Coloradans probably exceeds the Healthy People 2010 target. The small changes in the reported incidence of hypertension in recent years are not statistically significant. Working-age men have a higher rate of hypertension than do working-age women (19 percent vs. 14 percent).

Promising Initiatives
In Colorado
Colorado Heart Healthy, Stroke Free: Reaching the Future 2005 – 2010 is a state initiative of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment developed with input from community agencies and public health experts. Findings from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System survey among Colorado adults revealed that fewer than one-third were able to identify signs of a heart attack or stroke. An important component of the Colorado Heart Healthy, Stroke Free strategy is informational campaigns that deliver appropriate and understandable messages to the public about identifying symptoms. The program also encourages hospitals to adopt recognized standards for heart disease and stroke treatment. An ongoing assessment of the program will identify best practices and suggest appropriate changes.²

Elsewhere
South Carolina implemented the Hypertension Initiative to bring it from “worst to first.” After four years, it is well on its way with measurable progress and growth. Starting with 14 health care providers, the Initiative has expanded to include 1.5 million patients and 286 practices in the southeast United States. The Initiative has published DASH, an eating plan and cookbook that draws upon southern-style cooking. It has also created Transworld Electronic Medical Records (TEMR), a low-cost electronic medical record system available for participating providers. It hopes to develop a health promotion program that will focus on disease management in the future.³

Adults with hypertension⁶

Text

1. National High Blood Pressure Education Program. “Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure: Mission Possible.”
   
2. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, “Colorado Heart Healthy and Stroke Free: Reaching the Future 2005 – 2010”; May 2005.
   
3. Medical University of South Carolina. “Hypertension Initiative of South Carolina”: July 2008.
   

Charts

4. Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Colorado Health Institute analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2001-2007.
   
   Data not available for 2004 and 2006 because the question used for this indicator was not included in the survey for those years.
   
   
5. Source: Colorado Health Institute analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2007, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   
6. Source: Colorado Health Institute analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2007, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.