NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 220 ■ November 2015

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Hypertension Prevalence and Control Among Adults: 

United States, 2011–2014

Sung Sug (Sarah) Yoon, Ph.D, R.N.; Cheryl D. Fryar, M.S.P.H.; and Margaret D. Carroll, M.S.P.H.

Hypertension is a public health challenge in the United States because it 

directly increases the risk for cardiovascular disease (1). National and regional 

health initiatives, including Healthy People 2020, the Million Hearts Initiative, 

and the Community Preventive Services Task Force, have sought to increase 

public awareness of the health benefits of improving blood pressure control 

(2–4). This report presents updated estimates for the prevalence and control of 

hypertension in the United States for 2011–2014.

Keywords: high blood pressure • National Health and Nutrition Examination 

Survey

What was the prevalence of hypertension among adults 

during 2011–2014?

Overall, the prevalence of hypertension among adults was 29.0% for

2011–2014 and was similar among men (30.0%) and women (28.1%) (Figure 1).

Key findings 

Data from the National 

Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey

● Prevalence of hypertension 

among adults was 29.0% in 

2011–2014 and increased with 

age: 18–39, 7.3%; 40–59, 

32.2%; and 60 and over, 64.9%.

● Hypertension prevalence 

was higher among nonHispanic black (41.2%) than 

non-Hispanic white (28.0%), 

non-Hispanic Asian (24.9%), or 

Hispanic (25.9%) adults.

● Prevalence of controlled 

hypertension was 53.0%, 

and adults aged 18–39 were 

less likely to have controlled 

hypertension than those aged 

60 and over.

● Overall, prevalence of 

controlled hypertension was 

higher among non-Hispanic 

white (55.7%) than nonHispanic black (48.5%), 

non-Hispanic Asian (43.5%), or 

Hispanic (47.4%) adults.

● From 1999 to 2014, 

hypertension prevalence was 

unchanged, but control of 

hypertension increased.

Figure 1. Prevalence of hypertension among adults aged 18 and over, by sex and age: 

United States, 2011–2014

1

Crude estimates are 31.3% for total, 31.0% for men, and 31.5% for women.

2

Significant difference from age group 18–39.

3

Significant difference from age group 40–59.

4

Significant difference from women for same age group. 

5

Significant linear trend.

NOTE: Estimates for the 18 and over category were age-adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 U.S. census population using 

age groups 18–39, 40–59, and 60 and over; see reference 9. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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The prevalence of hypertension increased with age, from 7.3% among adults aged 18–39 to 

32.2% among those aged 40–59, and 64.9% among those aged 60 and over. A similar pattern 

was found among both men (8.4% for those aged 18–39, 34.6% for 40–59, and 63.1% for 60 and 

over) and women (6.1% for those aged 18–39, 29.9% for 40–59, and 66.5% for 60 and over). 

Men had a higher prevalence of hypertension than women among adults aged 18–39 (8.4% 

compared with 6.1%, respectively) and aged 40–59 (34.6% compared with 29.9%, respectively), 

but not among adults aged 60 and over (Figure 1).

Were differences seen in the prevalence of hypertension among adults by 

race and Hispanic origin during 2011–2014?

For adult men and women, the prevalence of hypertension among non-Hispanic black (41.2%) 

adults was higher than among non-Hispanic white (28.0%), non-Hispanic Asian (24.9%), and 

Hispanic (25.9%) adults. Non-Hispanic Asian adults had significantly lower prevalence of 

hypertension than non-Hispanic white adults (Figure 2).

In men, the prevalence of hypertension was higher among non-Hispanic black adults than among 

all other race and Hispanic origin groups. Prevalence of hypertension was also higher among

non-Hispanic white (29.4%) than Hispanic (25.4%) men.

In women, the prevalence of hypertension also was higher among non-Hispanic black adults than 

Figure 2. Prevalence of hypertension among adults aged 18 and over, by sex and race and Hispanic origin: United States, 

2011–2014

1

Significant difference from non-Hispanic Asian.

2

Significant difference from non-Hispanic white.

3

Significant difference from Hispanic.

4

Significant difference from women in same race and Hispanic origin group. 

NOTE: Estimates are age-adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 U.S. census population using age groups 18–39, 40–59, and 60 and over; see reference 9.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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among all other race and Hispanic origin groups. Prevalence of hypertension was higher among 

non-Hispanic white (26.5%) than non-Hispanic Asian (23.5%) women.

The only difference by sex was found among non-Hispanic white adults—men had a higher 

prevalence of hypertension (29.4%) than women (26.5%).

What percentage of adults with hypertension had their blood pressure 

controlled?

Among adults with hypertension, 53.0% had controlled hypertension during 2011–2014. The 

prevalence of controlled hypertension was higher among those aged 40–59 (57.2%) and 60 and 

over (52.5%) than among those aged 18–39 (37.4%) (Figure 3).

A higher percentage of women had controlled hypertension (56.3%) than men (50.6%).

Among men with hypertension, those aged 18–39 had a lower prevalence of controlled 

hypertension (27.9%) than those aged 40–59 (50.3%) or 60 and over (54.6%). For women with 

hypertension, the prevalence of controlled hypertension was higher among those aged 40–59 

(64.9%) than among those aged 18–39 (51.3%) or 60 and over (50.8%).

Figure 3. Prevalence of controlled hypertension among adults with hypertension aged 18 and over, by sex and age: 

United States, 2011–2014

1

Crude estimates are 52.9% for total, 50.0% for men, and 55.8% for women.

2

Significant difference from age group 18–39.

3

Significant difference from women in the same age group. 

4

Significant difference from age group 60 and over.

NOTE: Estimates for 18 and over category are age-adjusted by the direct method using computed weights based on the subpopulation of persons with 

hypertension in the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; see reference 7.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 220 ■ November 2015

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Significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension control by sex were seen in adults aged 

18–39 and 40–59: 51.3% of women aged 18–39 controlled their hypertension compared with 

27.9% of men in the same age group; 64.9% of women aged 40–59 controlled their hypertension 

compared with 50.3% of men in the same age group.

Among adults with hypertension, were differences seen in blood pressure 

control by race and Hispanic origin during 2011–2014?

Among all adults with hypertension, the overall prevalence of hypertension control among

non-Hispanic white (55.7%) adults was higher than among non-Hispanic black (48.5%),

non-Hispanic Asian (43.5%), and Hispanic (47.4%) adults. A similar pattern was noted for both 

men and women, although the difference between non-Hispanic white (59.1%) and Hispanic 

(52.1%) women did not reach statistical significance.

Overall, non-Hispanic black adults were more likely to have controlled hypertension than

non-Hispanic Asian adults. Overall, and for both men and women, no significant difference was 

seen in the prevalence of controlled high blood pressure between Hispanic and non-Hispanic 

Asian adults (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Prevalence of controlled hypertension among adults with hypertension aged 18 and over, by sex and race and 

Hispanic origin: United States, 2011–2014 

1

Significant difference from non-Hispanic Asian.

2

Significant difference from non-Hispanic black.

3

Significant difference from Hispanic.

4

Significant difference from women in the same race and Hispanic origin group. 

NOTE: Estimates are age-adjusted by the direct method using computed weights based on the subpopulation of persons with hypertension in the 2007–2008 

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; see reference 7.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Among men with hypertension, non-Hispanic white (53.8%) adults had a higher prevalence of 

controlled high blood pressure compared with non-Hispanic black (43.8%), non-Hispanic Asian 

(39.9%), and Hispanic (43.5%) adults. For women with hypertension, the percentage of

non-Hispanic white (59.1%) adults with controlled high blood pressure was higher than among 

non-Hispanic black (52.3%) and non-Hispanic Asian (46.8%) adults.

The percentage of men with controlled hypertension was lower than that for women among

non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults.

Has overall prevalence and control of hypertension changed between 1999 

and 2014?

From 1999 through 2014, no significant change was seen in the percentage of adults with 

hypertension. For controlled hypertension, a significant increase was noted in the percentage of 

adults with controlled hypertension from 1999 to 2014; however, no significant change was noted 

from 2009 to 2014 (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Age-adjusted trends in hypertension and controlled hypertension among adults aged 18 and over: 

United States, 1999–2014

 

 

1

Significant increasing linear trend, p < 0.0001.

NOTES: Hypertension estimates are age-adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 U.S. census population using age groups 18–39, 40–59, and 60 and over; see 

reference 9. Controlled hypertension estimates are age-adjusted by the direct method using computed weights based on the subpopulation of persons with 

hypertension in the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; see reference 7.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Summary

Overall, the U.S. prevalence of hypertension since 1999 was 29.0% with no significant change in 

prevalence. However, the prevalence of controlled hypertension among adults with hypertension 

in the United States has increased from 31.5% for 1999–2000 to 53.3% for 2009–2010. The 

prevalence of controlled hypertension among adults with hypertension remained stable through 

2013–2014. Currently, more than one-half of adults with hypertension have their hypertension 

under control (54.0%).

Hypertension prevalence was higher among adults aged 60 and over and non-Hispanic black 

adults. Controlled hypertension rates were higher among adults aged 40–59 and among nonHispanic white adults. No difference was seen between men and women in the prevalence of 

hypertension, but a higher percentage of women than men had their hypertension controlled.

Despite the remarkable progress in hypertension control that has been noted in the United States 

over the years, there is still room for improvement to meet the goal of Healthy People 2020 

(61.2% by 2020) (2).

Definitions

Hypertension: Systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mmHg or diastolic blood 

pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg, or currently taking medication to lower high blood 

pressure (5,6).

Controlled hypertension: Systolic blood pressure less than 140 mmHg and diastolic blood 

pressure less than 90 mmHg among those with hypertension (5,6). Estimates are age-adjusted 

among persons with hypertension (7).

Data source and methods

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1999–2014 were 

used for these analyses. Data from NHANES 2011–2014 (4 years of data) were used to test 

differences between demographic subgroups, thus increasing the sample size, the precision of the 

estimates, and the ability to detect a difference in prevalence. In testing for trends in hypertension 

prevalence and control, eight 2-year cycles were used: 1999–2000, 2001–2002, 2003–2004, 

2005–2006, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011–2012, and 2013–2014.

NHANES is a cross-sectional survey designed to monitor the health and nutritional status of the 

civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population using highly stratified, multistage probability designs 

(8). The survey consists of interviews conducted in participants’ homes and standardized health 

examinations conducted in mobile examination centers (MECs). Blood pressure was measured in 

the MEC by trained physicians following a standard protocol.

In 2011–2012 and 2013–2014, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic persons, 

among other groups, were oversampled to obtain reliable estimates for these population 

subgroups. Specific race and Hispanic origin estimates reflect individuals reporting only one race; 

those reporting more than one race are included in the total but not reported separately.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 220 ■ November 2015

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An average of up to three brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings was used for 

systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. Ninety-eight percent of study participants had at 

least two complete blood pressure measurements. For participants with only one blood pressure 

reading (0.2%), a single measurement was used. Appropriate blood pressure cuff sizes were used 

for participants based on measurement of mid-arm circumference (8).

Examination sample weights, which account for the differential probabilities of selection, 

nonresponse, and noncoverage, were incorporated into the estimation process. All variance 

estimates accounted for the complex survey design by using Taylor series linearization. Pregnant 

women were excluded from analyses. Hypertension prevalence estimates for the total adult 

population were age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. census population using the direct method and 

age groups 18–39, 40–59, and 60 and over (9). Age-adjusted control rates of hypertension were 

calculated using the subpopulation of persons who have hypertension as recommended by 

the National Surveillance Definitions for Hypertension (7). Differences between groups were 

tested using a univariate t statistic at the p < 0.05 significance level. All differences reported 

are statistically significant unless otherwise indicated. Adjustments were not made for multiple 

comparisons. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS System for Windows, release 

9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C.) and SUDAAN, release 11.1 (Research Triangle Institute, 

Research Triangle Park, N.C.).

About the authors

Sung Sug (Sarah) Yoon, Cheryl D. Fryar, and Margaret D. Carroll are with CDC’s National 

Center for Health Statistics, Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

References

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2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health 

Promotion. Healthy People 2020. Available from: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx.

3. CDC. Million Hearts Initiative. Available from: http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html.

4. Community Preventive Services Task Force. The Community Guide. Cardiovascular disease 

prevention and control: Team-based care to improve blood pressure control. Available from: 

http://www.thecommunityguide.org/cvd/teambasedcare.html. 

5. Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, Cushman WC, Green LA, Izzo JL Jr, et al. The seventh 

report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of 

High Blood Pressure: The JNC 7 report. JAMA 289(19):2560–72. 2003.

6. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. National high blood pressure education program. 

2003. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/guidelines/express.pdf.

7. Crim MT, Yoon SS, Ortiz E, Wall HK, Schober S, Gillespie C, et al. National surveillance 
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definitions for hypertension prevalence and control among adults. Circ 

Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 5(3):343–51. 2012.

8. National Center for Health Statistics. National Health and Nutrition 

Examination Survey (NHANES): Examination manuals 2011–2012,

2013–2014. Available from: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/search/

nhanes_continuous.aspx.

9. Klein RJ, Schoenborn CA. Age adjustment using the 2000 projected U.S. 

population. Healthy People 2010 Stat Notes 20:1–10. 2001.

Suggested citation

Yoon SS, Fryar CD, Carroll MD. 

Hypertension prevalence and control among 

adults: United States, 2011–2014. NCHS 

data brief, no 220. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Nathaniel Schenker, Ph.D., Deputy Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health and Nutrition 

Examination Surveys

Kathryn S. Porter, M.D., M.S., Director

Ryne Paulose-Ram, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science