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 www http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns

High Blood Pressure

 and Cholesterol 

Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular 

(blood vessel) diseases are among the leading causes 

of death and now kill more than 800,000 adults in 

the US each year. Of these, 150,000 are younger 

than age 65. These diseases are also two of the 

leading causes of health disparities in the US. 

Treatment of these diseases accounts for 1 in 

every 6 US health dollars spent. Two main 

reasons people have heart disease or stroke are 

high blood pressure* and cholesterol, which 

are common, deadly, and preventable. Nearly 2 

out of 3 adults with high cholesterol and about 

half of adults with high blood pressure don’t 

have their condition yet under control. Clearly, 

other steps are needed to gain control of these 

health risks. 

*High blood pressure means at least 140/90 mmHg. High cholesterol in 

this report means high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. 

Learn what you can do to reduce heart disease 

and stroke.

 See page 4 

Want to learn more? Visit 

Nearly 68 million adults 

have high blood pressure 

but about 1 in 2 doesn’t 

have it under control. 

71 million US adults have 

high cholesterol but 2 in 3 

don’t have it under control. 

39 

Every 39 seconds an adult 

dies of heart attack, stroke, or 

other cardiovascular disease. 

1 in 2 

Out of Control 

2 in 3 

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 

Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention 

February 2011 
 

 

 

 

 

Problem 

High Blood Pressure

and Cholesterol 

Improved care could save more 

than 100,000 lives a year. 

1 in 3 

1 in 3 

1 in 2 

1 in 3 

1 in 2 

2 in 3 

Adults has high blood pressure. 

Adults with high blood pressure 

does not get treatment. 

Adults with high blood pressure 

does not have it under control. 

Adults has high cholesterol. 

Adults with high cholesterol 

does not get treatment. 

Adults who have high cholesterol 

do not have it under control. 

Frozen Pizza 

450–1,200 mg 

Salad 

Dressing 

110–505 mg 

Bread 

95–210 mg 

Frozen 

Vegetables 

2–160 mg 

Soup 

700–1,260 mg 

Range 

(mg sodium per serving) 

Salt Level Can Vary in 

Common Food Items 

High Blood Pressure 

By the Numbers 

High Cholesterol 

Current guidelines for sodium intake for adults are less than 2,300 

mg of sodium per day at most and 1,500 mg for adults at high risk. 

Why is control difficult to achieve? 

◊ More than 80% of people who don’t have their 

blood pressure or cholesterol under control 

actually have health insurance. Not only do 

individuals need to be continually checked for 

these conditions, they also need good, affordable 

treatment along with regular follow-up care. 

◊ Many people don’t have regular access to 

medical care, prescription medications, or 

lifestyle counseling. Some people don’t go back 

to the doctor when they should. This makes 

it difficult to control their blood pressure and 

cholesterol. About 1 in 2 adults stops taking 

cholesterol medicine within 1 year. 

◊ Improvements in the way health care is delivered 

are needed. Clinical services that detect and 

control high blood pressure or cholesterol are 

not being delivered to all those in need. Changes 

in how we reimburse for and provide health 

care services can improve health by giving 

more people access to treatment. 

◊ People get 77% of their sodium (mostly salt) 

from eating processed or restaurant foods, 

which can raise blood pressure. Even people 

who want to eat low-salt foods may have 

trouble finding them in grocery stores or on 

restaurant menus. 

◊ Trans fat found in fried and processed foods 

such as cookies and donuts can raise cholesterol, 

contributing to heart disease and stroke. 

Only 1 in 5 Americans lives where there are 

policies that eliminate artificial trans fat 

from restaurant foods. 

◊ Everyday decisions can help keep a heart healthy. 

These include not smoking, eating right, 

exercising, and taking prescription medicines. 

Policies that make it easier for people to eat a 

healthy diet, walk or bicycle for transportation or 

fun, and have smoke-free areas can help lower 2 blood pressure and cholesterol. 
US State Info
 

Heart Disease Death Rates 

2002-2007, Adults Ages 35+, by County 

Average Annual 

Deaths per 100,000 

172–338
 

339–454
 

455–651 

Insufficient 

Data 

SOURCES: National Vital Statistics System 

and US Census Bureau. 

Stroke Death Rates 

2002-2007, Adults Ages 35+, by County 

20M

Untreated

Uncontrolled

37M

Total

68M

37M

Untreated

Uncontrolled

48M

Total

71M

High Blood Pressure 

and High Cholesterol 

Among US Adults 

SOURCES: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

2005–2008. 

Average Annual 

Deaths per 100,000 

112–254 

34–87 

Insufficient 

Data 

88–111 

US Adults (in millions)

http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/GISCVH2/ 

High Blood Pressure High LDL Cholesterol 

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◊ Develop policies that reward effective disease 

prevention and chronic disease management. 

◊ Develop policies that allow other health care 

professionals (pharmacists, dietitians, community 

health workers, nurses and nurse practitioners) 

to have a more active role in managing high 

blood pressure and cholesterol. 

What Can Be Done 

The Affordable Care Act 

◊ Will expand health insurance coverage to up to 

94% of people under age 65 by 2019. 

◊ Will require new health plans to cover preventive 

services for certain populations including 

● Testing for high blood pressure and 

cholesterol. 

● Counseling on the use of daily aspirin to 

reduce the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. 

● Using counseling and medication to help 

people quit smoking. 

● Managing obesity and providing counseling 

on diet and weight loss. 

◊ Will provide more trained health professionals 

to treat people with high blood pressure and 

cholesterol. 

◊ Will improve the delivery of services. 

Policymakers can 

◊ Develop policies for medical care that increase 

the use of electronic health records and doctor 

reminder systems. 

◊ Champion policies to reduce salt and eliminate 

artificial trans fat in the nation’s food supply. 

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Doctors, nurses, and other 

health providers can 

◊ Follow current guidelines for prevention, treatment, and control of heart disease and stroke. 

(http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/materials_for_ 

professionals.htm). 

◊ Use electronic health records and registries 

of their patients with high blood pressure and 

cholesterol, or who smoke so patients get the 

follow-up care they need, and providers get 

feedback on their performance. 

◊ Manage these conditions at every patient visit 

at every provider to help them control their 

blood pressure and cholesterol. 

◊ Remind patients about follow-up care (e.g., 

automatic phone calls, Internet reminders) 

and self-monitoring of high blood pressure at 

home. 

◊ Urge patients at every opportunity to quit 

smoking. 

Individuals can 

◊ Follow your doctor’s instructions and stay 

on your medications to control your blood 

pressure and cholesterol. 

◊ Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total 

fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and rich in 

fresh fruits and vegetables. 

◊ Take at least 1 brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a 

day, 5 days a week. 

◊ Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as 

possible (http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco and 

http://www.smokefree.gov). 

CS219354D 

For more information, please contact 

Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) 

TTY: 1-888-232-6348 

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Web: www.cdc.gov 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30333 

Publication date: 02/01/2011