Between 2005 and 2009, experts say that the number of people diagnosed with high blood pressure has increased by a proportion of about 10 percent. Otherwise referred to as hypertension, high blood pressure is linked to serious conditions such as stroke and hypertension. Researchers have found out that almost a third of total American population is currently suffering from issues related to hypertension.

The percentage of Americans who reported to be suffering from high blood pressure in 2005 and 2009 was 26 and 28 percent respectively. With nearly 30% of Americans suffering from hypertension, it is pretty clear that the disease has become a silent killer in the nation.

Causes of hypertension

High blood pressure is caused by several factors. Some of the notable contributors to this deadly condition include obesity, lack of regular exercises, a high salt intake, smoking and excessive alcohol drinking. While this shows that chances of suffering from hypertension are high than ever before, the most important thing is that patients get treatment for the condition. Unfortunately, it is only a half of the population suffering from hypertension has their conditions controlled. When left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to more serious health consequences such as strokes and heart attacks. According to a study done lately, nearly 40 percent of hypertension patients do not take medication to contain the condition.

Reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease

According to a hypertension medical expert, what actually needs to be done in to lower the increasing rates of stroke and heart disease today is to improve high blood pressure awareness, control and avail treatment for the condition. In this regard, it is important for any adult man and woman in America to know his or her blood pressure level. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, you should get the right treatment to control the condition. Minnesota had the lower percentage of people reporting hypertension cases which stood at 21 percent in 2009 while Mississippi recorded the highest reporting percentage at 36.

In America, there is a wide variation of cases of high blood pressure among states as well as those taking medication to control the condition. A large percentage of victims in Tennessee reported to be taking medication for their condition while California had a lower number of people taking medication for their condition. There is also a notable disparity in cases of high blood pressure in terms of age, education levels, race, ethnicity and sex. There were significant high cases of hypertension among seniors, blacks, men and adults with lower school education levels compared to the more learned, younger, Asians and women in the country according to the research. To reduce the prevalence of hypertension, the research recommended increased awareness of high blood pressure and use of effective treatments for hypertension in order to control and cure it.