Americans at Risk for Heart Disease Due to High Blood Pressure

LEAWOOD, Kansas, Feb. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The number of Americans diagnosed with high blood pressure -- a strong risk factor for heart attacks -- is cause for concern as America observes National Heart Month, according to the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The concern stems from a 2016 survey, completed by the American Academy of Family Physicians and conducted by Harris Poll, which found that nearly three in 10 men and women (29 percent) reported they had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. That result mirrors data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which also reports that 29 percent of Americans have high blood pressure. The CDC's numbers translate into 75 million Americans with the condition -- and show that only slightly more than half (54 percent) have it under control.

"This finding is concerning because we know that high blood pressure and heart attacks or chronic heart failure are so closely related," said John Meigs, Jr., MD, president of the AAFP. "According to the CDC, seven out of 10 people who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure. Seven out of 10 people who develop chronic heart failure have high blood pressure. So it's important that people know what their blood pressure is and work with their family physician to treat it."

On a more positive note, the CDC notes that more people -- especially those over the age of 60 -- are aware and being treated for the condition. Still, CDC data show that one in five don't know they have the condition. Meigs recommended observing American Heart Month by taking steps to prevent heart disease.

"Get your blood pressure checked. If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to treat it and lower your risk factors," he said. "That same advice applies to knowing what your blood cholesterol levels are. You can work with your family physician to prevent or reduce the risk factors that lead to heart disease. Learn about heart health and what you can do in your everyday life to stay healthy."

Familydoctor.org, a comprehensive health and wellness website, offers multiple, evidence-based resources for learning more about heart health, according to Meigs. Patients can find articles about specific heart-related topics as well as about preventive actions they can take. He pointed to articles on topics such as  high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diet and exercise for a healthy heart. In addition, the AAFP and the American College of Physicians recently published a new joint guideline for treating patients 60 and older who have high blood pressure.

Survey methodology
The survey was conducted online within the United States between April 15-19, 2016, on behalf of AAFP by Harris Poll via its Quick Query omnibus product. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Janelle Davis, 800-274-2237, Ext. 5222, or jdavis@aafp.org.

About the American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 124,900 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits -- that's 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America's underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine's cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.

To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP's award-winning consumer website, familydoctor.org.