The New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 345, August 16, 2001, Number 7, published a study on the characteristics of patients with uncontrolled hypertension in the United States. The study analyzed data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and found that 27% of the U.S. population had hypertension, but only 23% of those with hypertension were taking medications that controlled their condition. Among those with untreated or uncontrolled hypertension, most had mild systolic hypertension with diastolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg. The majority of these patients had health insurance and regular contact with physicians. Independent predictors of lack of awareness of hypertension included age ≥65 years, male sex, non-Hispanic black race, and not having visited a physician in the past 12 months. These variables were also associated with poor control of hypertension among those aware of their condition. Age ≥65 years accounted for the greatest proportion of the attributable risk for both lack of awareness and poor control. The study found that most cases of uncontrolled hypertension in the U.S. involved isolated, mild systolic hypertension in older adults, most of whom had access to health care and frequent contact with physicians. The study also highlighted that the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension is not limited to the poor, uninsured, or minorities. The pattern of mild systolic hypertension with diastolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg was common in both the elderly and middle-aged. The study concluded that the main challenge in controlling hypertension is identifying effective therapeutic regimens to achieve targeted blood pressure levels. The study also noted that the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension differs slightly from other estimates due to different age ranges used. The study emphasized the importance of controlling hypertension and the need for further clinical trials, especially regarding the use of systolic blood pressure as the primary criterion for diagnosis and treatment. The study also highlighted that access to health care is not the main determinant of hypertension control, as rates of awareness and control are higher in the U.S. than in countries with national health insurance systems.The New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 345, August 16, 2001, Number 7, published a study on the characteristics of patients with uncontrolled hypertension in the United States. The study analyzed data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and found that 27% of the U.S. population had hypertension, but only 23% of those with hypertension were taking medications that controlled their condition. Among those with untreated or uncontrolled hypertension, most had mild systolic hypertension with diastolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg. The majority of these patients had health insurance and regular contact with physicians. Independent predictors of lack of awareness of hypertension included age ≥65 years, male sex, non-Hispanic black race, and not having visited a physician in the past 12 months. These variables were also associated with poor control of hypertension among those aware of their condition. Age ≥65 years accounted for the greatest proportion of the attributable risk for both lack of awareness and poor control. The study found that most cases of uncontrolled hypertension in the U.S. involved isolated, mild systolic hypertension in older adults, most of whom had access to health care and frequent contact with physicians. The study also highlighted that the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension is not limited to the poor, uninsured, or minorities. The pattern of mild systolic hypertension with diastolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg was common in both the elderly and middle-aged. The study concluded that the main challenge in controlling hypertension is identifying effective therapeutic regimens to achieve targeted blood pressure levels. The study also noted that the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension differs slightly from other estimates due to different age ranges used. The study emphasized the importance of controlling hypertension and the need for further clinical trials, especially regarding the use of systolic blood pressure as the primary criterion for diagnosis and treatment. The study also highlighted that access to health care is not the main determinant of hypertension control, as rates of awareness and control are higher in the U.S. than in countries with national health insurance systems.