As the obesity rate in the U.S. reaches “epidemic proportions,” the rate of hypertension-related cardiovascular death has nearly doubled, according to the American College of Cardiology’s inaugural “Cardiovascular Statistics 2026” report published Jan. 12.
Here are 10 things to know about hypertension in the U.S. from the report:
Prevalence
- According to criteria established in 2017 by the ACC and the American Heart Association, 1 in every 2 U.S. adults experience hypertension.
- There was no change in hypertension prevalence among U.S. adults between 2009-2010 and 2021-2023, both overall and when stratified by gender.
- There was a slight increase in hypertension prevalence among young adults ages 20 to 44 and adults ages 45 to 64 between 2009-2010 and 2021-2023.
Hypertension among adults ages 65 and older declined from 73.7% to 66.5% during the same period. - Black adults experience higher rates of hypertension compared to white adults.
Adults living in lower income households and rural communities experienced a higher rate of hypertension as well.
Mortality
- Hypertension-related deaths almost doubled between 2000 and 2019, from 23 per 100,000 to 43 per 100,000.
- Hypertension was a primary or contributing cause of about 664,000 U.S. deaths in 2023.
- The majority of U.S. counties have experienced a rise in hypertension-related mortality.
- The highest rates of hypertension-related deaths were seen among men and Black adults.
Treatment
- While antihypertensive medications are available nationwide, blood pressure treatment and control rates have not improved over the last 15 years.
- Only 2 in 3 hypertensive adults in the U.S. are receiving medical treatment for the condition.
Of adults receiving treatment, only 66.6% achieved blood pressure control from treatment during 2021-2023.
Read the full ACC report here.
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