� 

FROM VITAL & HEALTH STATISTICS OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEA , 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EW’=ATION. AND WELFARE I No. 2 November 8, 1976 I Pubhc Health Serwce. Heal 

L 

.. . . 

HYPERTENSION: UNITED STATES, 1974” 

During 1974 the Division of Health Interview Statistics obtained hypertension prevalence 

estimates for the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 17 years of age and over. While 

hypertension data have been collected by this 

had hypertension, “ “now have hypertension,” 

“no longer have hypertension, ” and “never had 

hypertension,” by seven demographic c&racteristics—age, sex, race, family income, education 

of individual, and geographic region and place of 

residence. Data on a Iimited number of supplemental items are ako included. A more detailed 

report containing further amdysis of these and 

other related data is being prepared. 

The following criteria were used to classify 

persons into four hypertension statua categories 

which were developed for the purpose of presenting the hypertension data obtained by the 

Division of Health Interview Statistics. 

Persons comprising the category “ever had 

hypertension” reported that they were told by a 

medical doctor that they had either hypertension or high bIood pressure. These persons are 

also classified according to their current hypertension status: (1) persons who “now have hypertension” reported that they stiIl had hypertension (high blood pressure) at the time of the 

interview, that it was under control, or that they 

were taking medicine prescribed by a doctor for 

it; (2) persons who “no longer have hypertension” reported that this condition was cured and 

Dkision in the past, this was the first year for 

earmarking this condition as a supplemental 

topic, enabling the collection of more detailed 

information than had been obtained previously. 

Special interest in this disease was generated 

in 1972 with the establishment of the National 

High Blood Pressure Education Program. The 

long-range goal of this program is to lower the 

morbidity and mortality associated with high 

blood pressure existing in tMs country today 

through improved detection and treatment of 

this disease. A more immediate program objective, however, is the education of both the pubIic and the medical community about high blood 

pressure. 

This report contains population estimates 

for four hypertension status categories, “ever 

aThis report prepared by Abigail Moss and Geraldine 

Scott, Division of Health Interview Statistics. 

— 

— 

Advance Data j%om Vital and Health Statistics replaces the supplements to the Monthly Vital Statistics Report 

as the means for early release of selected findings from the hezdth and demographic surveys conducted by the 

NCHS. Most of these releases will be foIIowed by detailed reports in the Vital and Health Statistics series. 

Provisional vital statisticsaswellasadvance reports of final data for a year wilI continue to be published in the 

Monthly Vital Statistics Report. 

Advance Data is being distributed on the mailing keys for the Vital and Health Statistics series, ~d peopIe 

who now receive reports from a particular series will also receive all Advance Data releases for that series. 

Temporarily, the mailing list for the Monthly Vital Statistics Report (MVSR) is also being used. MVSR readers 

who wish to continue to receive Advance Data issues,as well as otherpersonswho wishto receiveallissues, 

should contact: 

National Center for HeaIth Statistics 

Room 8-20 

5600 Fishers Lane 

Rockville, Maryland 2085? 

Phone: (301) 443-1200 
2 

that they were not presently taking medicine 

prescribed by a doctor for it. Note that to be 

classified to either category “now have hypertension” or “no longer have hypertension” a 

person also had to have been told at some time 

by a medical doctor that he had high blood pressure or hypertension. The category “never had 

hypertension” comprises persons who were 

never told by a medical doctor that they had 

hypertension or high blood pressure. 

According to data obtained in 1974 by the 

Division of Health InterView Statistics, one in 

five persons comprising the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States 17 

years of age and over (20.6 percent) has been 

told by a doctor that he has hypertension, and 

an estimated 22.6 million Americans at these 

ages (15.7 percent ) still have this condition 

(table 1). There are marked difference in the 

percents of persons that now have hypertension 

for specific sex, age, and race groups. 

Pro~ortionatelv more women (18.5 Dercent) & . \ , , 

than men (12.5 percent) currently have hypertension. This sex difference was apparent among 

every age group shown in table 1 except those 

PERCENT OF PRESENTLY HYPERTENSIVE PERSONS 

60 

- white.,,, 

m White fmlah? 

50 

[ m ,Iackma[e 

M Blackfermle 

t 40 

t 

t 

I 

20 

10 

6.6 

3.B 3.B 

0 

All ages17 years 17.24 

and over 

‘o


aged 17-24 years, where the percents of young 

hypertensive men and women were about the 

same. The likelihood of having this condition 

also increased with advancing age. Whereas 

about 4 percent of all persons aged 17-24 years 

now have hypertension, this proportion rose to 

35 percent of all persons 65 years of age and 

over. 

Proportionately more black persons (22.2 

percent) than white (15.0 percent) cmrently 

have hypertension. This pattern was evident for 

each age group except those aged 17-24 years; 

differences between white persons and black of 

the se ages were within sampling variation. 

Among all persons 17 years of age and over, 

white males had the lowest proportion (12.0 

percent) of hypertensives, and black females had 

the highest proportion (25.9 percent) of hypertensive, as shown in the cliart, while similar proportions with hypertension were found for white 

females (17.7 percent) and black males (17.4 percent). Percent differences between white females 

and ‘black males with hypertension for the age 

groups 25-44, 45-64, and 65 years and over may 

be due to sampling vanability. 

BY AGE, RACE, AND SEX: UNITED STATES, 1974 

!9.8 

25.44 45.64 65 and 

over 

e 

AGE IN YEARS 
When hypertension data are displayed by 

family income, education of the individual, and 

geographic region and place of residence the following patterns are found. As family income 

rose, the percent of persons with hypertension 

declined-from 25.7 percent of those with incomes of Iess than $5,000 to 11.8 percent when 

income reached $10,000 or more (table 2). A 

disproportionate number of older persons and 

black persons in the Iower income bracket, however, account for some of this difference. For esample, when these data were age-adjusted to the 

age distribution of the United States population 

17 years and over (see Technical Notes), the percent changed as follows: 

Percent 

Unadjusted Age-adjusted 

Less than $5,000 . . . 25.7 22.0 

$5,000~$9,999 . . . . 17.2 17.1 

$10,000 or more . . . 11.8 13.3 

0 

Likewise, as 1eveI of education increased the 

percent of persons with hypertension decreased. 

An estimated 22 percent of all persons who were 

not high school graduates now have hypertension compared with about 13 percent of high 

school graduates and about 10 percent of persons completing 1 year or more of college. 

The South had the highest proportion of 

persons with hypertension (16.9 percent) of any 

geographic region in the country. A slightly 

greater percent of persons residing outside of 

standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSA’s) 

(16.9 percent) currently had hypertension than 

did those living within SMSA’s (15.1 percent). 

Within SMSA’s, the proportion of hypertensives 

was more than 20 percent higher among people 

living in the central city (16.8 percent) than 

those living in adjacent areas (13.8 percent). 

Most health practitioners agree that all persons should have a blood pressure test periodically. Based on 1974 Health Interview Survey 

findings, almost two-thirds of all persons aged 

17 years and over were given a test of this kind 

within the 12-month period preceding the interview (tabIe 3). 

l The percent of persons with a 12-month 

blood pressure test graduaIly increased with each 

older age group, from 62.6 percent of +ose 

17-44 years to 70.4 percent of persons 65 years 

and over. Proportionately more females (71.8 

percent) than males (56.5 percent) had a test 

within the year, while about the same proportion of white persons and black were given a 

blood pressure test during this .period. An estimated 1.4 million people 17 years of age or 

older (about 1 percent of the U.S. civilian 

noninstitutionalized adult population) reported 

they had never had a blood pressure test. 

The percents of persons having a blood pressure test during the previous year were. somewhat higher for the currently hypertensive population than for the general population. About 86 

percent of the currently hjrpertensive population 

had their blood pressure taken within 12 months 

of the date of interview, and three out of every 

four persons &th high bIood pressure had a test 

as recently as within 6 months of the interview. 

Proportionately more females than males 

now with hypertension had a bIood pressure test 

within the past 6 months (76.3 compared with 

70.4 percent) and within the past 12 months 

(87.8 compared with 83.5 percent). The proportion of currently hypertensive persons with a 

blood pressure test during the 6-month period 

also rose with each older age group, from 66.9 

percent of those aged 17-44 years to 78.6 percent of those aged 65 years and over. However 

for the 12-mqnth period preceding the interview, although proportionately more persons 45 

years and over had a bIood pressure test than did 

younger persons, the percents with a test during 

this period for the two age groups 45-64 and 65 

years and over were about the same. 

Of persons with a blood pressure test within 

the year, the proportion having multiple tests 

during this period rose as age increased-from 

58.2 percent of persons 17-44 years to 73.6 percent of those 65 years or older. The percent 

with two tests or more was higher for females 

(65.7 percent) than it was for males (56.9 percent), and it was higher for bIack persons (67.3 

percent) than it was for white persons (61.5 percent). Proportionately moie persons now having 

hypertension had multipIe blood pressure tests 

during the year than did the total U.S. civilian 

noninstitutionalized popuIation (8 1.4 percent 

compared with 62.1 perc’ent). 

Persons whose blood pressure was taken in 

the past year are classified according to the last 

test result (tabIe 4). Of the total United States 
4 

civilia noninstitutionalized population 17 years 

of age and over with blood pressure taken in the 

past year, a little more than half (53.1 percent) 

were told their last blood pressure reading was 

normal. Males had a higher percent of normal 

readings than did females (57.3 percent compared with 50.2 percent). About the same percent of males and females had a blood pressure 

reading that was high (7. 1 and 7.8 percent, respectively), while females had almost twice as 

high a percentile of blood pressure results that 

were low as did males (4.8 compared with 2.6 

percent). 

By race, proportionately more black persons 

(10.7 percent) than white (7.1 percent) 17 years 

and over had a blood pressure reading that was 

high. 

About the same proportion of white persons 

(4.0 percent) and black (3.2 percent) had a 

blood pressure reading that was low. OYerall, the 

proportion of persons having a blood pressure 

reading that was high was much greater among 

persons now having hypertension (29.7 percent) 

than among the total United States adult population (7.5 percent). 

Data on doctor visits and bed days for hypertension which occurred during the 12-month 

period preceding the interview are presented in 

table 5. About three-fourths of the currently 

hypertensive population saw a doctor for this 

condition at least once during the year, while 

26.9 percent reported five doctor visits or more. 

The percent of currently hypertensive persons 

with one doctor visit or more of this kind increased somewhat for two broad age groups— 

from about 62 percent of persons aged 17-44 

years to about 77 percent of all persons aged 45 

years and over. Over one-third of all persons 

comprising the oldest age category had five doctor visits or more for hypertension within this 

period compared with only about 9 percent of 

persons 17-24 years of age. 

The percent of persons reporting one doctor 

visit or more for hypertension was higher for 

presently hypertensive females (76.4 percent) 

than it was for males (68.7 percent). Differences 

in the percents of white and black persons now 

with hypertension having one doctor visit or 

more during the year, however, were within 

sampling variation. 

Only a small proportion of persons now with 

hypertension (8.3 percent) had to stay in bed all 

or most of the day for 1 day or more during the 

year because of this condition. Furthermore, the 

number of days spent in bed for this condition 

in the 12-month period totaled less than 1 week 

for more than one-half of those persons reporting any bed days because of their high blood 

pressure. 

The percent of currently hypertensive women with bed days for this condition was slightly 

higher than was the percent of men with bed 

days (9.6 compared with 6.3 percent). And 

proportionately more hypertensive black individuals (18.9 percent) reported 1 bed day or 

more for this condition than did the white population (6.5 percent). 

Data on interval since last doctor visit (for 

any reason) are included in table 6. Highlighted 

below are some of the differences noted in this 

table among certain population groups. 

Proportionately more persons now with 

hypertension than persons comprising the general population had a doctor visit within the past 

6 months (79.2 compared with 61.4 percent) 

and within the past 12 months (89.5 compared 

with 77.1 percent). 

Currently hypertensive females were somewhat more Iikely to have had a recent doctor 

visit than were hypertensive males; within 6 

months, 81.5 percent and 75.3 percent, respectively, and within the year, 91.7 percent and 

85.9 percent, respectively. 

In general, as age increased, the proportion 

of currently hypertensive persons that saw a 

doctor within 6 months and 12 months prior to 

the interview also rose. Whereas about 74 percent of hypertensive persons aged 17-44 years 

saw a doctor within 6 months, about 82 percent 

of those 65 years or older had a visit within this 

period. Similarly, 87.7 percent of the hypertensive population aged 17-44 visited a doctor during the year compared with 90.7 percent of persons comprising the age group 65 years and over. 

No” racial differences were found between 

the proportion of white persons and black with 

hypertension that saw a doctor either within 6 

or 12 months of the date of interview. 
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Table 1. Mmber and percent distribution of persms 17 years of age and over by hypertension status, according to race, sex, and
 age; based m data collected in health interviews: United States, 1974


Rypertensicm status


All


Race, sex, and age	 ,ersons


.7years
 .ndOVer


ALL SACES2 Number in thousands Percent distributim 

Both sines 

All ages 17 years and over 144,38( 29,78S 22,626 5,345 105,004 9,587 100.0 20.6 15.7 3.7 72.7 6.6 

17-24 years------------- 29,562 2,069 1;147 675 24,966 2,527 Ioo. c 3.~ 84.5 8.5 25-44 yC.lZS 51,216 7,235 4,560 2,125 40,59C 3,391 Ioo. c 1::? 79.3 45-64 

65 years and over 20,74C 8,525 7,267 884 11,471 744 100. C Ctl.1 35.C 55.3 3.6 

Wale 

A~~da:;er17 years . 67,947 11,562 8,479 2,156 49,784 6,601 100. C 17.0 12.5 73.3 9.7 

years------------- 42,86? 11,96C 9,652 1,657 27,977 2,926 100. ( 27.9 2::: 65.3 M 

17-24 years 14,252 837 507 205 11,744 1,672 Ioo. c 3.6 82.4 11.7 25-44 yeWS 

45-64 ye.zrs 24,69$ 

20,41S 

2,989 

4,953 

1,869 

3,829 837 

774 

19,135 

13,468 

2,574 

1,998 100. C Loo. c 1;:; 

24.3 7.6 

18.t 77.5 

66.0 10.4 

65 yearn and over------- 8,57E 2,784 2,273 339 5,437 357 100. C 32.5 26.5 63.4 ::: 

FemaIe 

All ages 17 years 

and over----------- 76,433 18,228 14,147 3“,189 55,220 2,986 100. C 23.8 18.5 72.2 3.9 

17-24 years 15,310 1,232 640 470 13,223 855 100. C 86.4 5.6 25-44 yearn 26,518 4,247 2,691 1,291 21,455 816 100. C 1::8 1$:: 80.9 45-64 years------------- 22,443 7,007 5,823 884 14,509 927 100. C 31.2 25.9 64.6 ::i 65 years and cwer------- 12>163 5,742 4,993 545 6.033 388 100. c 47.2 41.1 49.6 3.2 

� WSsrs


Both sexes


All ages 17 years
 and over----------- 127,787 25,598 19,143 4>871 93,930 8,259 100.0 20.0 7.5.0 73.5 6.5


17-24 ymrs 25,464 1,789 959 611 22,557 2,117 100.0 84.7 8.3
 25-44 yCCl?X 44,934 6,037 3,614 1,936 36,024 2,873 100.0 1;:: ::: 80.2 6.4
 45-64 ~CClE3------------- 3s,514 10,194 8,132 1,501 25,708 2,612 100.0 26.5 21.1 66.7
 65 yCi31X and oVCX 18,875 73578 6,438 822 10,640 657 100.0 40.1 34.1 56.4 H


M31c 

A;lldascs=l?y.2arS 

60,482 10,063 7,244 1,990 44,707 5,712 100.0 16.6 12.o 73.9 9.4 

17-24 years 

25-44 yC3ZS 

12,375 

21,922 761 2,617 468 1,564 191 

790 10,218 

17,092 

1,397 

2,213 

100.0 

100.0 lH 3.8 82.6 

78.0 

11.3 

10.1 45-64 yNtZS 65 ymrs and over------- 18,414 

7,771 

4,252 

2,433 

3,236 

1,976 688 

321 12,377 

5,019 

1,784 319 100.0 

100.0 23.1 

31.3 1;:i 25.4 67.2 

64.6 ::; 

Femle 

All ages 17 years and over----------- 67,305 15,535 11,898 2,881 49,223 2,547 100.0 23.1 17.7 73.1 3.8 

17-24 years 13,088 1,029 491 420 11,339 721 100.0 3.8 86.6 5.5
 25-44 years-------------- 23,012 3,421 2,050 1,;:; 18,932 660 100.0 lZ:? 82.3 2.9
 45-64 years------------- 20,100 5,941 4,896 13,331 828 100.0 29.6 2;:: 66.3 4.1
 65 years and over------- 11,104 5,145 4,461 501 5,621 338 7.00.0 46.3 40.2 50.6 3.0


BLACK


Both sexes


AIL ages 17 yeaqs
 and .wer 14,865 3,943 3.294 439 9,725 1,197 100.0 26.5 22.2 65.4 8.1


17-24 years------------- 3,725 270 179 %4 3,084 372 100.0 *1.7 82.8 10.0 25-44 years-----------— 

45-64 years------------- 5,415 

3,982 

1,114 

1,668 887 1,441 176 

137 3>s47 

2,016 ;;; 100.0 

100.0 2::: 

41.9 

12:: 

36.2 3.3 

3.4 71.0 

50.6 ;.; 

65 years and over------- 1,743 890 787 *62 779 74 100.0 51.1 45.2 *3.6 44.7 4:2 

Male 

A:l.da~~er17years 

6,614 1,377 1,154 148 4,423 814 100.0 20.8 17.4 2.2 66.9 12.3 

17-24 yeazs------------- 1,668 *4O *14 1,341 251 100.0 W..4 *0.8 80.4 15.0


45-64 years 65 years and over------- 1,853 

749 

650 

324 550 

285 79 

*I9 1,004 

391 199 

*35 100.0 

100.0 35.1 

43.3 

29.7 

38.1 4.3 

*2.5 54.2 

52.2 10.7 

*4.7 

Female 

All ages 17 years and cwer----------- 8,252 2,566 2,140 290 5,302 384 100.0 31.1 25.9 3.5 64.3 4.7 

25-44 years 2,343 3;; 279 *37 1,687 329 ‘IOO.O 1::; 11.9 *1.6 72.0 14.0


� 17-24 years---------—-- 2,057 194 140 *49 1,742 7.20 100.0 *2.4 ;;.;
 25-44 years 3,072 787 607 139 2,160 100.0 2;:: 1;:: 4.5 :::
 45-64 years------------- 2,129 1,018 891 *59 1,012 100 100.0 47.8 ;;.; *2.8 47:5 4.7
 65 years and over 994 567 502 *44 388 *39 100.0 57.0 . *4.4 39.9 *3.9


17.ncludes
mdmmm present hypertsnsicm status. ‘Includes her zaces.
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6 e Table 2. Number and percent distributionof persons 17 years of age and over by hypertension status, acc.ardingto selected char.


acteristics;based on data collected in health interviews:United States, 1974


Characteristic


All persons 17 years
 and overz
 —


FAMILY INCOM+


Less than $5,000-------­


g;~i~;i::;ii


$15,000 or mOre


EDUCATION OF


INDIVIDUAL


Less than 9 years
 9-11 years
 12 years
 13 years or mOre


GEOGRAPHIC REGION


Northeast


North Central
 South


West


PLACE OF RESIDENCE


SMSA
 Central city
 Outside central city--
 Outside SMSA


Nonfarm


Farm


Hypertensim status


All All persons persons 17 years un- 17 years and over known mid cwer


Number in thousands


144,3s0 29,7S91122,626 5,345 105,004 9,5s7 100.0


24,753 7,665 6,350 913 16,140 948 100.0
 32,SS1 7,228 5,655 1,219 23,945 1,708. 100.0
 33,S81 5,542 3,923 1,174 26,0S4 2,255 100.0
 43,629 7,442 5,214 1,759 32,926 3,261 100.0


27,132 S,871 7,402 993 17,015 1,246 100.0
 27,1S4 5,s15 4,443 965 19,435 1,935 100.0
 50,548 8,979 6,632 1,888 38,341 3,228 100.0
 37,512 5,791 3,866 1,470 29,083 2,638 100.0


34,985 7,228 5,469 1,321 25,110 2,646 100.0
 38,430 7,737 5,749 1,489 28,o81 2,612 100.0
 ;:,;;; 9,824 7,646 1,556 32,448 2,S48 100.0
 > 5,000 3>761 980 19,364 1,480 100.0


99,s07 1;,;%; 15,092 3,566 72,956 6,885 100.0
 44,504 7,471 1,469 32,001 2,962 100.0
 55,30 10:425 7,621 2,097 40,955 3,923 100.0
 44,57$ 9,S24 7,534 1,779 32,04S 2,702 100.0
 39,370 8,729 6>671 1,597 28,1S2 2,46o 100.0
 5,203 1,095 S63 1s1 3,S66 242 100.0


Hypertension status


Percent distribution


20.6 15.7 3.7 72.7 6.6


31.0 25.7 65.2 3.8 22.0 17.2 2; 72.8 5.2 16.4 11.6 77.0 6.7 17.1 12.0 2:: 75.5 7.5 

32.7 27.3 62.7 4.6 21.4 16.3 ::; 71.5 17.8 13.1 3.7 75.9 M
 15.4 10.3 3.9 77.5 7.0


20.7 15.6 3.s 71.s 7.6
 20.1 15.0 3.9 73.1 6.8
 21.s 16.9 71.9
 19.3 14.6 M 74.9 ::;


21.0 

20.0 15.1 3.6 73.1 21.4 

1s.9 16.8 

13.8 3.3 71.9 

74.1 2:; 

22.0 16.9 ::: 71.9 ::: 22.2 16.9 4.1 71.6 16.6 3.5 74.3 ::; @ 

. . . 

-

0.0 

* 

~Includes unknowm present hypertension status.
 2Includes unknown income and education.


Data not 

Category 

Quantity 

Quantity 

SYMBOLS 

available 

not applicable 

zero ----------------------------------------------

more than O but less than 0.05 

Figure does not meet standards of 

reliabilityy or precision (more than 

30 percent relative standard error)----------
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� 7 

Table 3. Number of persons 17 years of age md over and percent distribution by interval since last blood pressure test, and mm. ber of persons with blood pressure taken ming year and percent distribution by times blood pressure taken, according to hyper­ tension status. aze. -., sex. and race: based m data collected in health interviews: United States, 1974 -

Interval since last blood Persons Times blind pressure taken
 All pressure test with in past year
 ?ersons blood Hypertension status, age 17 years 11 1 , , Iressure sex, and race md over Less 2 :akenin in thou- Cotall than 6-11 1 years past sands 6 months year or ear in months more ti0usand3 

ALL STATUSES3 Percent distribution Percent distribution 

All persons 17 years ad ~vex4----------- 144,380 100.0 47.1 17.6 11.8 25. s 133 599 100. C 33.5 - 39.0 11.7 11.4

Age: 17-44 years S0,778 100.0 43.4 19.2 12.9 15.5 73,795 100. C 38.1 39.6 

65 years and over 20,740 100.0 58.4 12.1 16.5 19,945 100.C 21.: 3s.1 16.6 18.8 

Sex: Male 

Female 

67,947 

76,433 

100.0 

100.0 39.8 

53.6 16.7 

1s.3 12.5 11.1 19.9 

12.1 60,729 

72,870 100.C 

100.0 38.t 30.4 39.8 

38.4 1::; 1;:: 

Race: White 

Male----

127,787 

60,482 100.0 

100.0 46.7 

39.8 17.8 

16.S 11.9 

12.7 16.1 

20.1 11S,625 

54,300 

100.0 

100.0 34.5 

3s.6 39.0 

::.; 11.5 11.0 

45-64 years 42,862 100.0 4S.6 17.1 lj.j 15.s 39,859 100. c 32.; 38.4 1;:: 1::: 

Femle-- 67,305 100.0 52.8 1s.7 11.3 12.4 64,324 100.0 31.5 1::: 1::;
 Black 14,S65 100.0 51.2 2.5.3 10.7 12.4 13,41s 100.0 28.4 38:9 13.6 14.9
 M.31e---- 6,614 100.0 40.3 16.1 12.3 16.0 5,671 100.0 39.? 38.3 10.1
 Female-- 8,252 100.0 60.0 14.6 9.4 9.5 7,747 100.0 21.8 39.2 1::: 17.s


SVER HAD RTPERTENSION5


All persons 17 years and overd 29,789 100.0 6S.3 14.3 7.7 5.2 29,401 100.0 19.0 38.0 18.9 20.3 

ASe: 17-44 years 9,304 100.0 60.9 17.7 10.7 9.4 9,182 100.0 25.7 39.4 15.2 16.1 45-64 years 11,960 100.0 69.6 14.5 11,787 100.0 18.0 37.7 20.0 ;:.$ 65 years and over S,525 100.0 74.6 10.3 ;:? ::: S,432 100.0 13.8 36.9 21.1 .


Sex: 

Male 

Female------------------------

11,562 

18.22s 100.0 

100.0 63.8 

71.1 15.5 

13.6 9.2 

6.S 10.5 

6.8 11,462 

17,939 100.0 

100.0 22.1 

17.2 ;$: . 15.5 

20.9 17.9 

21.7 

Race: Nhite----------------~~;i;---- 25,59s 100.0 68.3 14;6 25,2S6 100.0 19.6 3s.0 19.1 19.5 ---. 10.063 100.0 63.9 15.6 $! 1::: 9,9s7 100.0 22.1 40.6 15.7 17.4 Female-- 15,535 100.0 71.2 14.0 . 15,299 100.0 18.1 36.5 21.1 20.8 Black 3,943 100.0 ::.; 11.5 1::; 3,875 100.0 15.2 37.8 1s.0 25.1 Male---- 1,377 100.0 13.9 ;:; 12.2 1,362 100.0 22.2 40.0 13.9 21.5 Female-- 2,566 100.0 71:1 10.2 6.9 9.5 2,513 100.0 11.6 36.7 20.7. 27.o 

NOW HAVE 5WPERTENSION


AlldP~=yS 17 y=ZS 

22,626 100.0 74.1 12.1 6.5 6.1 22.352 100.0 L5. o 38.3 20.7 22.4 

Age: 

17-44 years 5,708 100.0 66.9 14.3 9.0 5,636 100.0 20.2 g.: 16.9 1s.9 45-64 years 9,652 100.0 74.9 12.3 R 9,513 100.0 14.0 22.0 22.4 65 years and over 7,267 100.0 78.6 10.0 M 5.5 7,203 100.0 12.5 37:0 21.s 25.0


Sex: 

Male-------------------------- 8,479 100.0 70.4 i3.o 8,401 100.0 16.7 41.0 17.5 20.8 Female 14,147 100.0 76.3 11.5 ;:; ;:: 13,951 100.0 14.0 36.7 22.6 23.4 

Race: 

Wite-----------------fi;=--- 19,143 100.0 74.3 12.3 6.5 5.6 18,912 100.0 15.3 38.3 21.0 21.7 7,244 100.0 70.4 13.1 8.1 7,174 100.0 16.6 41.0 17.7 20.2 Female-- 11,898 100.0 76.7 11.8 5.5 ;:~ 11,73s 100.0 14.5 36.8 23.0 22.5 Black 3,294 100.0 72.S 10.6 6.7 3,250 100.0 3.3.1 37.9 18.9 26.7 M2.1e---- 1,154 100.0 70.0 12.6 6.6 10:1 1,146 100.0 17.7 j;.: 15.5 23.2 Female-- 2,140 100.0 74.3 9.5 6.7 7.s 2,104 100.0 10.6 20.7 28.6 

NSVSR HAD HYPSRTSN3J.ON 

All persons 17 years
 and over4---------= 105,004 100.0 44.5 19.8 13.8 19.0 102,458 100.C 39.: 39.4 9.1 8.2


Age: 17-44 years 65,556 100.0 44.2 20.9 14.2 17.5 63,713 100.C 40.2 39.7 45-64 years 27,977 100.0 43.7 19.7 13.8 20.6 27,519 100.C 41.: 3S.8 65 years and over 11,471 100.0 4s.4 14.0 11.5 23.4 11,226 100.C 29.1 39.7 

Ssx: Male-------------------------- 49,7s4 100.0 3S.8 19.0 14.s 24.3 4S,496 100.C 44.1 39.6 

Female 55,220 100.0 49.7 20.5 12.9 14.2 53,962 100.c 35.[ 39.3 

Race: 

White-------------------i:---- 93,930 100.0 44.0 20.0 14.0 19.4 91,844 100.0 39.4 44,707 100.0 38.S 19.0 14.9 24.6 43,668 100.C 40.0 Fsmale-- Black 49,223 

9,725 100.0 

100.0 4S.8 

49.6 

20.9 

18.3 13.1 

12..7 14.7 

14.2 48,175 

9,315 100.c 100.C 39.0 

39.5 Male---- 4,423 100.0 39.5 19.2 19.4 4,199 100.C 37.3 Female-- 5,302 100.0 58.1 17.6 M 10.0 5,116 100.0 41.0 

1Includes never and unknown intervals.


2Includes unknown tfpes.
 3Includes unknown hypertension status.


4Includes persons of other races.
 51nclu&5 now have hypertension,no longer have hypertension, and unknown if now have hypertension.

------------

--

--------------------------------------------

-----------------

--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------

--

-----------------

--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------

--

--

--------------------------------------------

--

-------------------------------------------

----

--

--------------------------------------------

Table 4. Number af persons 17 years of age and over with blood pressure taken in past year and percent distributionby last test
 results, according to hypertension status, sex, and race; based on data collected in health inte~iews: united states, 1974


<


?ersons


Lth blood Told blood pressure was— 

Hypertension status, sex, and race 

messure 

!aken in lint 

told sst year 

in musands Totall Normal High Low Other 

II I I I I 

ALL STATUSES2 Percent df.s
tribution


All persons 17 years and over’ 93.342 100.0 53.1 7.5 3.9 3.2 30.9 

Sex: 

Male-------------------------------------------- 38,425 100.0 57.3 7.1 28.3 

Female ------------------------------------------ 54,917 100.0 50.2 7.8 ‘t: ::: 32.8 

Race: 

White-------------------------------------------- 82,423 100.0 53.1 7.1 4.0 3.4 31.1
 pfale_-- 34,265 100.0 57.4 6.9 3.4 28.1


Female 48,157 100.0 50.0 ::: ;.: 33.2


Black 9,892 100.0 53.5 1;:? 3.2 29.3


Male---- 3,731 100.0 56.7 *1.1 2:3 29.4


Female-- 6>161 100.0 51.6 1?:; 4.5 1.8 29.2


EVER HAD HYPERTENSION4


All persons 17 years and over’ 24,606 100.0 45.5 25.3 1.3 6.1 20.4


Sex: 

Male 9,167 100.0 48.6 25.4 1.4 6.2 16.9 

Female 15,439 100.0 43.7 25.3 1.3 6.0 22.5 

Race: 

Wbite-------------------------------------------- 21,235 100.0 45.9 24.6 1.4 6.4 20.3


~ale---- 7,998 100.0 ~.; 24.8 1.6 16.6


Female-- 13,237 100.0 24.4 1.3 2:2 22.6


BLack 3,150 100.0 43:0 30.9 *0.5 3.3 21.1


Male---- 1,062 100.0 45.9 30.7 *4.1 19.3


Female 2,088 100.0 41.6 30.9 *0.8 *2.8 22.0


NOW HAVE HYPERTENSION


All persons 17 years and were 19,k99 100.0 40.9 29.7 1.2 6.8 19.8


sex: 

Male 7,078 100.0 44.1 29.9 1.6 6.9 15.9 

Female 12,421 100.0 39.2 29.6 1.0 6.S 22.0 

Race: 

Nhite------------------------------------&---;::-- 16,582 100.0 41.0 28.9 1.3 7.4 19.s 

6,049 100.0 43.7 29.4 1.9 ;.: 15.6 

Female 10,532 100. c 39.5 28.7 0.9 22.2 

Black 2,746 100.0 40.7 34.3 *0.6 3:5 19.5 

Male---- 953 100. C 45.8 32.9 *3.8 17.5 

Female 1,793 100.0 38.0 35.1 W.; *3.3 20.6 

NEVER SAD HYPERTENSION


All persons 17 years and aver’--------------- 67,53S 100. c 55.9 1.0 4.9 2.2 34.7 

Sex: 

Male--------------------------------------------- 28,753 100. C 60.2 1.2 3.1 2.4 32.0 

Finale 38,785 100. C 52.8 .8 6.3 2.1 36.8 

Race: 

Nhite------------------------------------;;;;---- 60,129 100. C 55.7 1.0 5.0 2.3 34.9 

25,841 100.c 60.1 1.3 3.2 2.5 31.7 

Female 34,288 100.c 52.3 2.2 37.3


Black 6,609 100.C 58.7 1:: ::; 1.3 33.1


Male---- 2,597 100.c 61.4 *1.1 *1.6 *1.4 33.8


Female-- k,o12 100.( 57.0 *1.o 6.6 *1.2 32.7


17.ncludes
unknown status of blc.odpressure reading.
 ~Includes unknown hypertension status.


Includes persons of other races.
 41ncludesnow have hypertension,no longer ~ve hypertension,and ~no~ if n~ have hypertension.


/-

0 
--------------------

-----------------------

-----------------------

----------------------- -----------------

------------------------------ ----------------------------

-----------------------------

---------------------

-----------------------

-----------------------

-----------------

----------------------------

-----------------------------

-----------------------------

I€ o 9€

Table 5. Number of hypertensivepersons 17 years of age and over and percent distribution by mmber of doctor visits and bed days
 for hypertension in past year, according to hypertension status, age, SSX, and race; based on data collected in health inter­


views: United States, 1974


All Number of doctor visits for hypertension Number of bed days for


persons in past year hypertension in past year


Iiypertens
 ion status, age, 17 years
 sex, and race
 Less 1 week
 rOtall Nons 1 2-4 5 l’0ta12 None than or more II I1 week m“~e 

EVER BAo RYPERTENSION3 Percent distribution Percent distribution


All persons 17 years and mere 29,789 100.0 34.9 16.6 25.1 21.9 100.0 92.s 3.s 2.9 

Age: 17-24 years 2,069 100.0 48.4 23.9 1s.7 100.0 92.2 *4.2 *2.2 25-44 years 7,235 100.0 4S.8 19.2 18.2 12; 100.0 93.8 1.8 45-64 years 11,960 100.0 30.7 16.2 28.0 23.8 100.0 91.9 ;; 3.5 65 years and over 8,525 100.0 25.8 13.3 28.6 30.5 100.0 93.4 2.9 

sex: Name 11,562 100.0 & ; 16.0 24.4 1s.0 100.0 94.6 2.4 

Female 1S,228 100.0 . 17.0 25.6 24.4 100.0 91.7 ::: 3.2 

Race:
 White----------------------------- 25,598 100.0 35.2 16.s 25.3 21.4 100.0 94.3 3.0 2.2 

Male---- 10,063 100.0 40.6 16.2 24.5 17.6 100.0 95.7 2.1 1.8 Female-- 15,535 100.0 31.7 17.2 25.8 23.9 100.0 93.3 2.4 Black 3,943 100.0 33.4 3.5.6 23.7 25.2 100.0 83.3 i ; Nale---- 1,377 100.0 38.9 14.6 23.5 20.0 100.0 86.1 %.6 4:; Female-- 2,566 100.0 30.4 16.2 23.7 28.0 100.0 S1.9 9.7 7.8 

NoW WAVE HYPSRTSNSION 

A1l.dp~r~s 17 years
 -
 22,626 100.0 25.2 16.8 29.8 26.9 100.0 91.5 4.7 3.6


0 Age: 17-24 years 1,L47 100.0 39.2 27.4 24.3 100.0 90.7 *5.8 a 1 

25-44 years 4,560 100.0 36.5 21.4 23.4 1?< 100.0 91.5 5.6 45-64 yeas ----------------------- 9,652 100.0 22.3 I-3. 32.5 28.2 100.0 90.5 5.1 ::: 

65 yesrs and over 7,267 100.0 19.7 13.6 31.1 34.1 100.0 93.1 3.4 3.3 

Sex: Male------------------------------ 8,479 100.0 30.1 15.9 29.8 23.0 100.0 93.6 3.1 Female 14,147 100.0 22.3 17.3 29.9 29.3 100.0 90.2 ::: 3.9 

8


Race: 

white 19,143 100.0 24.9 17.0 30.3 26.7 100.0 93.3 3.8 2.8 Male---- 7,244 100.0 30.1 16.1 30.2 22.7 100.0 95.1 2.5 Female-- 11,898 100.0 21.8 17.5 30.4 29.1 100.0 92.3 ::: Black 3,294 100.0 26.7 16.0 26.9 28.3 100.0 80.8 1::; Male---- 1,154 100.0 30.7 3.5.2 27.5 23.8 100.0 ;3 j *7.9 $; Femsle-- 2,140 100.0 24.5 16.4 26.5 30.7 100.0 . 11.1 . 

‘Includesunknown doctor visits.
 21ncludes unknown bed days.
 %cludes now have hypertension,no longer have byperten.sion,and unknown if now have hypertension.
 4Includes persons of other races.

-----------------------------------

----------------------------------- -----------------------------

----------------------------------------

-----------------------------

-----------------------------------------

-----------------------------------

----------------------------------- -----------------------------

------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

----

-----------------------------------------

-----------------------------------

----------------------------------- -----------------------------

------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

------------

-----------------------------------

----------------------------------- -----------------------------

---------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

----

10


Table 6. Number of persons 17 years of age and over and percent distribution by interval since last dOctOr visit accOrding to
 hypertension status, age, sex, and race; based On data collected in health inte~iews: United StatesY 19~4


—— .— 

All Interval since last doctor visit 

)ersons I ! I I 

Hypertension status, age, sex, and race T years 

Id over 2 weeks 6 months In past to less to less 2-4 5 years in TOtall 2 than 1 year years or more
 Iousands weeks 6 ;%hs 1 year


ALL STATUSES2 Percent distribution


All persons 17 years and w?er3---------- 144.380 45.7 15.8 8.8 9.4 4.2


Age:
 17-44 years 80,778 100.0 14.2 46.0 17.7 9.7 2.9


45-64 years 42,862 100.0 16.3 44.1 14.9 8.3 1;:: :.;


65 years and over 20,740 ~oo.o 20.2 47>9 9.9 6.7 8.5 .


Sex: 

Male-----------------------------------------: 67,947 100.0 12.6 41.2 16.7 10.7 12.8 5.5 

Female 76,433 100.0 18.4 49.7 14.9 7.2 6.4 3.1 

Race:
 White------------ 127,787 100.0 15.6 45.7 15.9 9,4 4.2 

Male---- 60,482 100.0 12.6 41.3 16.9 J:: 12.7 5.4 

Black Male----

Female--

14,865 

6,614 

8,252 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

16.8 

12.7 

20.1 

45.8 

40.7 

49.8 

14.6 

15.6 

13,7 

i:: 

10.9 

7.2 1;:: 

2:: 

6.1 

3.3 

EVER HAD HYPERTENSION4 

All ages 17 years and over3--------------- 29,789 100.0 23.0 52.1 12.4 5.8 4.7 1.9 

Age: 17-44 years 45-64 years 65 years and over 

9,304 

lj,g:; 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

20.8 

22.9 

25.7 

49.5 

53.0 

53.6 

16.1 

11.8 

9.1 

6.9 

5.4 

5.3 

4.9 

4.8 

4.4 

1.8 

2.0 

1.8 

Fmale-- 67,305 100.0 18.4 49.7 14.9 6.4 

Sex: 

Male 11,562 

dk 100.0 20.7
 49.5 13.0 6.5 2.3

Female 18,228 100.0 24.6 53.7 12.0 1:? 3.5 1.6


Race: 

Female--

Black Male----

Female--

10,063 

15,535 

3,943 

1,377 

2,566 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

20.4 

24.4 

24.7 

21.9 

26.2 

49.4 

54.0 

50.7 

50.5 

50.9 

13.5 

12.1 

10.8 

1?:+ 

4:3 

6.9 

8.8 

5.8 

6.5 

3.8 

3.8 

7,3 

*1.9 

2.3 

1.4 

2.7 

*2.O 3.0 

NOW HAVS HYPERTENSION 

All persons 17 years and over3-------------- 22,626 100.0 25.1 54.1 10.4 5.2 3.8 1.4 

Age: 17-44 years 45-64 years 65 years and over 

5,708 

9,652 

7,267 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

23.7 

24.! 27.( 

50.3 

55.4 

55.2 

13.8 

9.8 

8.4 

::; 

4.5 

4.6 

3.6 

3.3 

1.3 

1.4 

1.5 

8ex: 

Nale 

Female 

8,479 

14>147 

100.0 

100.0 r 

22.L 

26.7 

52.9 

54.8 

10.6 

10.2 

7.2 

4.1 

5,? 

2.5 1.7 

1.2 

white---------------------------------~;~---- 25,598 100.0 22.8 52.2 12.6 ;.; 4,9 1.7 

Race: 

white---------------------------------~;~---- 19,143 1

100.0 24.f 54.5 10.4 ;.; 3.E 1.4


-. 7,244 100.0 22.1 52+S 11.0 5.1 1.7


Female-- 11,898 100.0 26.1 55.5 10.1 3:7 3.C 1.2


Black---------------------------------fii;-::- 3,294 100.0 260~ 51.6 10.1 5.9 3.6 *1.7


-. ;,;;: 100.0 22.! 54.: 6.5 6.: *1.6
 ]
 Female-. 100.0 29.1 50.C 1!:; 5.7 4<2. *1.7


NBVER HAD STPERTSNSION 

. 

All persons 17 years and overz 105,004 100.011 13./ 44.1 16.8 9.4 10.: 4.s 

Age: 17-44 years 65,556 100.O 13.! 46.0 18.1 9.6 9,3 3.0 

45-64 years 27,977 100.0 13.( 41.0 16.3 9.5 12.6 6.8 

65 years and over 11,471 100.0 16.: 43.s 10.5 7.7 11,6 9,9


Sex: 

Nale-----------------------------------------, 49,784 100.0 lo.! 39.7 ~;:: 11.0 14.1 6.1


Female 55,220 100.0 , 16., 48.7 8.0 7.2 3.6


Race: white 93,930 100.0 13.8 44.4 16.9 10.4 4.8 

Nale--- 44,707 100.0 11.1 39.8 17.9 1::: 14.0 $:


Fem.zle- 4;,;;; 100.0 16.4 48.6 16.0 8.0


Black---------------------------------~;;---- 100.0 14.0 44.4 16.3 9.0 1;:: 5:1


4:423 100.0 38.7 18.0 10.8 14.7 7.1


Female-- 5,302 1
 100.0 1?:? 49.2 14.9 7.6 7.0 3.5


1Includes never and unknown doctor visits.


21ncludesunknown hypertension status.


31ncludespersons of other races.
 41ncludesnow have hypertem ion, no longer ~ve hmert~s iOn, and ~~0~ if nOw ~ve hypertenstin.

� 11


TECHNICAL NOTES 

SOURCE OF DATA. The data presented in this 

report were obtained horn household interviews 

in the Health Interview Survey. These interviews 

were conducted throughout 1974 in a probability sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized 

population of the United States. During that 

year approximately 116,000 persons living in 

about 4,0,000 households were included in the 

sample. The hypertension questions were asked 

of each household member 17 years of age and 

over who was identified as a “sample person.” 

This subsarnple included approximately 26,000 

persons. 

SAMPLING. The sampling pattern for sample 

person selection was based on the total number 

of related and unrelated household members. 

Sample persons (approximately a one-third subsample of the actual Health Interview Survey 

sample) were selected by the interviewer at the 

time of interview. To determine which house0 hold member(s) to designate as a sample person, 

the interviewer referred to a preselected flashcard after listing all related and unrelated persons in the household on the questionnaire. The 

flashcard contained, for each household size, 

one or more person numbers that were to be 

identified as the sample person(s). 

Since the estimates shown are based on a 

sample of the population rather than on the entire population, they are subject to sampling error. Standard errors appropriate for the estimates of the number of persons are shown in 

table I; standard errors appropriate for percentages are shown in table II. 

Table 1. Standard errors of estimates of aggregates 

Standard 

Size of estimate error in 

in thousands thousands 

70 ............................................................................ 20 

100 .......................................................................... I 24 

42 

500 .......................................................................... I 54 

7oo .......................................................................... 64 

1,000 ....................................................................... 77 

5;000 ....................................................................... 170 

lo.ooo ..................................................................... 238 

20.000 ..................................................................... 329 

a.ooo ..................................................................... 394 

50,000..................................................................... 485 

100,000................................................................... 593 

Table 11. Standard errors, expressad in percentage points, of 

estimated percentages 

~ 

70 .......................... .... 4.1 6.3 8.7 11.6 14.5 

100 ............................ 3.4 5.3 7.3 9.7 12.1 

200 ............................ 2.0 3.1 4.2 5.6 7.0 

500 ............................ 1.5 2.4 3.3 4.3 5.4 

700 ........................ .... 1.3 2.0 2.8 3.7 4.6 

1,000 ......................... 1.1 2.3 3.1 3.8 

5,000 ......................... 0.5 g 1.0 1.4 1.7 

10,000 .................... ... 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.0 I .2 

20,000 ........ ............... 0.2 0.4 ().5 0.7 13.9 

30,000 ................ ....... 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 13.7 

50,000 ................ ....... 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 

100,000 ..................... 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 (3.4 

LIMITATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF 

DATA. When the 1974 Health Interview Survey 

hypertension prevalence estimates for the U.S. 

civilian noninstitutionalized population 17 years 

of age and over are compared with the 1972 

Health Interview Survey hypertension’ estimates, 

marked differences are found (15. 7 percent and 

11.9 percent, respectively). Some of this variation can be attributed to improved data collection procedures implemented in 1974 as well as 

to definitional differences between the 2 years. 

These differences wilI be described in detaiI in a 

forthcoming report. However, evidence from 

other sources also indicates that some of the increase reflects a reaI difference resulting from a 

greater awareness of this condition among some 

respondents. 

In this report, terms such as “similar” and 

“the same” mean that no statistical significance 

exists between the statistics being compared. 

Terms relating to differences (i.e., “greater,” 

‘qess,” etc.) indicate that differences are statistically significant. The t test with a criticaI value 

of 1.96 (0.05 level of significance) was used to 

test all comparisons which are discussed. Lack of 

comment regarding the difference between any 

two statistics does not mean the difference was 

tested and found to be not significant. 

Age adjustment is computed by multiplying 

the specific rate for each age group in the totaI 

GPO 909-525 
12 

U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population 17 

years and over in 1974. The rate is obtained by 

dividing the cumulative figures previously computed by the total population 17 years and over. 

For a more detailed discussion of the limitations and ‘qualifications of data collected in the 

Health “Interview Survey, see an earlier report 

entitled “Current Estimates from the Health Interview Survey, United States, 1974, Vital and 

Health Statistics, Series 10, No. 100, DHEW 

Publication No. (HRA) 76-1527. 

Blood pressure measurements of persons 

in the civilian noninstitutionalized population 6-74 years of age collected in the 

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 

from April 1971 through June 1974 have 

been reported in Advance Data (HRA) 77-

1250, No. 1, Oct. 18, 1976.