Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Mean Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure in Adults

Aged 18 and Over in the United States, 2001–2008

by Jacqueline D. Wright, Dr.P.H.; Jeffery P. Hughes, M.P.H.; Yechiam Ostchega, Ph.D., R.N.; 

Sung Sug Yoon, Ph.D.; and Tatiana Nwankwo, M.S., Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 

National Center for Health Statistics

Abstract

Objective—This report presents estimates for the period 2001–2008 of

means and selected percentiles of systolic and diastolic blood pressure by sex,

race or ethnicity, age, and hypertension status in adults aged 18 and over.

Methods—Demographic characteristics were collected during a personal

interview, and blood pressures were measured during a physician examination.

All estimates were calculated using the mean of up to three measurements. The

final analytic sample consisted of 19,921 adults aged 18 and over with complete

data. Examined sample weights and sample design variables were used to

calculate nationally representative estimates and standard error estimates that

account for the complex design, using SAS and SUDAAN statistical software.

Results—Mean systolic blood pressure was 122 mm Hg for all adults aged

18 and over; it was 116 mm Hg for normotensive adults, 130 mm Hg for treated

hypertensive adults, and 146 mm Hg for untreated hypertensive adults. Mean

diastolic blood pressure was 71 mm Hg for all adults 18 and over; it was 69 mm

Hg for normotensive adults, 75 mm Hg for treated hypertensive adults, and 85

mm Hg for untreated hypertensive adults. There was a trend of increasing

systolic blood pressure with increasing age. A more curvilinear trend was seen in

diastolic blood pressure, with increasing then decreasing means with age in both

men and women. Men had higher mean systolic and diastolic pressures than

women. There were some differences in mean blood pressure by race or

ethnicity, with non-Hispanic black adults having higher mean systolic and

diastolic blood pressures than non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American adults,

but these differences were not consistent after stratification by hypertension

status and sex.

Conclusions—These estimates of the distribution of blood pressure may be

useful for policy makers who are considering ways to achieve a downward shift

in the population distribution of blood pressure with the goal of reducing

morbidity and mortality related to hypertension.

Keywords: cross-sectional studies • ethnic groups • hypertension • National

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Introduction

Although mortality due to heart

disease has declined over the past 15

years, it remains the leading cause of

death in the United States (1). The most

recent report on hypertension (2), which

used data from the National Health and

Nutrition Examination Survey

(NHANES), estimated that 30% of

adults aged 18 and over had

hypertension. No significant change was

observed between 1999–2000 and

2007–2008. The Seventh Report of the

Joint National Committee on Prevention,

Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of

High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) (3)

reaffirmed that the relationship between

blood pressure and cardiovascular

disease is continuous, with increased

blood pressure associated with higher

risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke,

and kidney disease. In recognition of the

continuous risk associated with higher

blood pressure, the objective of this

report was to estimate the mean and

distribution of systolic and diastolic

blood pressure for adults 18 and over

using data from NHANES 2001–2008.

Estimated means and selected

percentiles of systolic and diastolic

blood pressure are presented by sex,

race or ethnicity, age, and hypertension

status.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Center for Health Statistics 
Page 2 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Methods

Data source

NHANES is conducted on a

continuous basis to monitor the health

and nutritional status of the U.S.

population. The survey sampled the

civilian noninstitutionalized U.S.

population residing in the 50 states and

the District of Columbia. During

2001–2006, the NHANES sample

design included an oversampling of the

following groups: low-income persons,

adolescents aged 12–19, persons aged

60 and over, and African-American and

Mexican-American persons. In 2007–

2008, the subdomains that were

oversampled were changed to include

low-income persons, African-American

and all Hispanic (not just MexicanAmerican) persons, and persons aged 60

and over. The survey consisted of a

personal interview in the household,

followed by an examination in a mobile

examination center (MEC). The MEC

allows greater standardization of

examination procedures and

measurements and has been a key

design element of the survey for 50

years. A description of the survey design

and data collection procedures has been

published for each of the 2-year survey

cycles examined here: 2001–2002,

2003–2004, 2005–2006, and 2007–2008

(4–7).

Interview and examination

methods

Information on demographic

characteristics was collected during the

personal interview, and blood pressures

were measured during the physician

examination. Detailed descriptions of the

blood pressure measurement procedures

and an evaluation study of the effect of

training procedures for blood pressure

measurement for 1999–2000 have been

published elsewhere (8–12). Blood

pressure was measured in accordance

with the current recommendations of the

American Heart Association (13). For

the present report, all estimates were

calculated using the mean of up to three

measurements. Three hypertension status

categories were used: normal or

normotensive was defined as reporting

no use of antihypertensive medication,

with a mean systolic blood pressure of

less than 140 mm Hg and mean

diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm

Hg; treated hypertensive was defined as

reporting use of antihypertensive

medication regardless of the level of

measured blood pressure (i.e., including

both controlled and uncontrolled

hypertension); and untreated

hypertensive was defined as reporting no

use of antihypertensive medication with

a mean systolic blood pressure of 140

mm Hg or higher or mean diastolic

blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher.

Statistical methods

The eligible sample for all four

survey periods consisted of 51,722

persons of all ages, and the examined

sample consisted of 39,832, giving an

examined response rate of 77%. Of

22,224 examined adults aged 18 and

over, the final analytic sample with

complete data was 19,921 after

exclusion of 916 persons with missing

data for all measured systolic or

diastolic blood pressure, 397 persons

who had all diastolic blood pressure

measurements recorded as zero, and 990

women who were pregnant at the time

of the exam. Sample sizes for all

analyses are provided in the Table in

‘‘Technical Notes.’’

Analyses were conducted using

SAS (version 9.2; SAS Institute, Cary,

NC) and SUDAAN (version 10.0;

Research Triangle Institute, Research

Triangle Park, NC) with examined

sample weights and sample design

variables to produce nationally

representative estimates and standard

error estimates that account for the

clustered design (14). All means

presented were adjusted for age except

for age-specific means. Age adjustment

was performed by the direct method

using the 2000 U.S. population with the

following three age groups: 18–39 years,

40–59 years, and 60 years and over

(15). To graphically display distributions

of mean blood pressure, two smoothing

algorithms were used. For Figures 1 and

2 showing mean blood pressure by age,

the LOESS method was used with the

SAS procedure SGPLOT (16). For

Figures 5–8, in order to display the

distributions of blood pressure by sex,

age, and hypertension status, systolic

and diastolic blood pressures were

smoothed using a nonparametric kernel

density estimate with the SAS procedure

SGPANEL (16). Differences in the

distribution of hypertension status and

demographic factors were tested using

chi-square statistics with an alpha level

of 0.05. Differences between group

means were tested using t tests with an

alpha level of 0.05 and adjustment for

multiple comparisons using the

Bonferroni method (17). Trends in age

were tested using Satterthwaite-adjusted

F statistics from linear regressions and

orthogonal quadratic contrasts with an

alpha level of 0.05. All differences

reported here were statistically

significant at the 0.05 alpha level.

Results

Demographic characteristics

The distribution of hypertension

status among adults aged 18 and over

for the study period from 2001 through

2008 is shown in Table 1 by sex, race or

ethnicity, and age. Among men, 71.6%

were classified as normotensive, 17.5%

as treated hypertensive, and 10.9% as

untreated hypertensive. Among women

the percentages were 69.7%, 21.5%, and

8.9%, respectively. The distribution of

hypertension status was statistically

different across sex, race or ethnicity,

and age groups. For example, adults

aged 18–39 were more likely to be

classified as normotensive than those in

the two older age groups. MexicanAmerican adults were more likely to be

classified as normotensive than nonHispanic white or non-Hispanic black

adults. Men were more likely to be

classified as normotensive than women.

With controlled hypertension being

defined in this study as reporting use of

antihypertensive medication and having

measured systolic blood pressure below

140 mm Hg and measured diastolic

blood pressure below 90 mm Hg, 11.7%

of men and 13.0% of women had

controlled hypertension. The low

percentage of treated hypertensive adults
National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011 Page 3 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008. 

0 

65 

80 

95 

110 

125 

140 

155 

170 

18 23 28 33 38 43 48 53 58 63 68 73 78 83

Normal 

Treated hypertensive 

Untreated hypertensive 

Age (years) 

Blood pressure (mm Hg) 

Systolic 

Diastolic 

Untreated hypertensive 

Treated hypertensive 

Normal 

Figure 1. Mean systolic and diagstolic blood pressure for men aged 18 years and over, by age and hypertension status

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008. 

0 

65 

80 

95 

110 

125 

140 

155 

170 

18 23 28 33 38 43 48 53 58 63 68 73 78 83

Blood pressure (mm Hg) 

Age (years) 

Normal 

Treated hypertensive 

Untreated hypertensive 

Normal 

Treated hypertensive 

Untreated hypertensive 

Systolic 

Diastolic 

Figure 2. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure for women aged 18 years and over, by age and hypertension status
180 Men Women Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black Mexican American 

160 

147 3

1 149 148 145 2

145
 

140
 3

134 133 3,4127 130 129 2

128
 1

124
 2

123 121 2

122 1

119 3,4118 2

120 2

116 117 114 

100 

80 

60 

40 

0 

Total Normal Treated hypertension Untreated hypertension 

1

Significantly different from women. 

2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black adults. 

3

Significantly different from non-Hispanic white adults. 

4

Significantly different from Mexican-American adults. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008. Blood pressure (mm Hg) 

Page 4 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Figure 3. Age-adjusted mean systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) in adults aged 18 years and over, by hypertension status, sex, and race

or ethnicity: United States, 2001–2008

in certain demographic groups, namely

among those aged 18–39 (2.7%) and

among Mexican-American persons

(8.8%), precluded analyses stratified by

whether hypertension was controlled.

Mean systolic blood

pressure

Mean systolic blood pressure was

122 mm Hg for all adults 18 and over;

it was 116 mm Hg for normotensive

adults, 130 mm Hg for treated

hypertensive adults, and 146 mm Hg for

untreated hypertensive adults (Table 2).

The trends with age can be seen for

men and women for the three

hypertension status categories (Figures 1

and 2). There was a significant linear

trend of increasing mean systolic blood

pressure with increasing age in men and

women in all three hypertension status

categories (Tables 3 and 4). Among all

adults, a significant linear trend of

increasing mean systolic blood pressure

with increasing age was seen among all

categories of hypertension status and

race or ethnicity except among treated

hypertensive Mexican-American adults

(Table 2). There was a significant linear

trend in all categories of hypertension

status among men of all races or

ethnicities and among non-Hispanic

white men (Table 3). The trend was

significant in non-Hispanic black men

only in the total and untreated

hypertensive categories and in MexicanAmerican men in the total,

normotensive, and untreated

hypertensive categories. Among women,

a significant linear trend was observed

in all categories of hypertension status

and race or ethnicity (Table 4).

Men had higher mean systolic blood

pressure than women in the total

population and in all hypertension status

categories except in treated hypertensive

adults (Figure 3). In the total population

and in the normotensive population,

comparing adults aged 18 and over

revealed significant differences in the

age-adjusted mean systolic blood

pressure between non-Hispanic white

and non-Hispanic black adults and

between Mexican-American and

non-Hispanic black adults (Figure 3 and

Table 2). Non-Hispanic black adults had

significantly higher mean systolic blood

pressure than non-Hispanic white adults

or Mexican-American adults. These

racial or ethnic differences persisted

when mean blood pressures for men and

women were examined separately in the

total population, and the differences

were significant only in women in the

normotensive population (Tables 3 and

4). In the treated and untreated

hypertensive populations, non-Hispanic

black adults had significantly higher

mean systolic blood pressure than

non-Hispanic white adults (Figure 3 and

Table 2). These racial or ethnic

differences were also significant in men

and in treated hypertensive women

(Tables 3 and 4).

Mean diastolic blood

pressure

Mean diastolic blood pressure was

71 mm Hg for all adults aged 18 and

over; it was 69 mm Hg for

normotensive adults, 75 mm Hg for

treated hypertensive adults, and 84 mm

Hg for untreated hypertensive adults

(Table 5). There was a significant

quadratic trend of increasing then
National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011 Page 5

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0
 

1

Significantly different from women.
 

2

Significantly different from non-Hispanic black adults.
 

3

Significantly different from non-Hispanic white adults.
 

4

Significantly different from Mexican-American adults.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008.
 

Men Women Non-Hispanic white Non-Hispanic black Mexican American

Total Normal Treated hypertension Untreated hypertension

1

72 70 2

71 2

70 170 

3,473 

68 69 69 69 

77 

74 2

74 74 

85 85 85 85 

3

78 

83 

Blood pressure (mm Hg) 

Figure 4. Age-adjusted mean diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) in adults aged 18 years and over, by hypertension status, sex, and race

or ethnicity: United States, 2001–2008

decreasing mean diastolic blood pressure

with increasing age among men and

women in all three hypertension status

categories (Figures 1 and 2 and Tables 6

and 7). After stratification by race or

ethnicity, the significant quadratic trend

persisted in all racial or ethnic groups in

the three hypertension status categories

except in treated hypertensive nonHispanic black and Mexican-American

men (Table 6). In some instances, the

curvilinear trend was flat in the two

younger age groups and decreased in the

older age group, as seen in treated

hypertensive non-Hispanic white men.

Among women, the significant quadratic

trend of increasing then decreasing

mean diastolic blood pressure with

increasing age persisted after

stratification by race or ethnicity in the

total population and in normotensive

women but was significant only in

non-Hispanic white women in the

treated and untreated hypertensive

populations (Table 7).

In the total and normotensive

populations, men had significantly

higher mean diastolic blood pressure

than women (Figure 4). Examination of

the total population without regard to

hypertension status showed significant

racial or ethnic differences in mean

diastolic blood pressure (Table 5).

Non-Hispanic white and MexicanAmerican adults had significantly lower

mean diastolic blood pressure than

non-Hispanic black adults (Figure 4 and

Table 5). This was also true when mean

diastolic blood pressure was examined

for men and women separately (Tables 6

and 7). After stratification by

hypertension status, significant racial or

ethnic differences were seen only in the

treated hypertensive population.

Non-Hispanic black adults had higher

mean diastolic blood pressure than

non-Hispanic white adults (Figure 4 and

Table 5). The difference was significant

in women but not in men (Tables 6

and 7).

Distribution of systolic and

diastolic blood pressure

Tables 8–13 present estimated

percentiles of systolic and diastolic

blood pressure for sex, race or ethnicity,

age, and hypertension status categories.

For treated hypertensive persons, the

75th percentile estimates were above the

hypertension cutpoint of 140 mm Hg

systolic blood pressure for non-Hispanic

white adults aged 60 and over and for

non-Hispanic black and MexicanAmerican adults aged 40–59 and aged

60 and over. Similar patterns were seen

in the systolic blood pressure

distributions after stratification by sex.

In the untreated hypertensive adults, the

25th or 50th percentile estimates were

above the systolic blood pressure

cutpoint of 140 mm Hg.

As expected based on the

definitions used in this report, the

distribution of systolic blood pressure

was below the hypertension cutpoint of

140 mm Hg for the normotensive

population (Figures 5 and 6). The

distribution of systolic blood pressure

for treated hypertensive adults extends

on both sides of the cutpoint. The

distribution of systolic blood pressure in

the untreated hypertensive population

appears somewhat skewed to the right in

two age groups, 40–59 years and 60

years and over. The distribution of

diastolic blood pressure for treated and
18–39 years 40–59 years 60 years and over 

Untreated 

hypertensive 

Normal 

Treated 

hypertensive 

80 110 140 170 200 80 110 140 170 200 80 110 140 170 200 

Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

0.04 

0.03

Density 0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

NOTE: Vertical dashed rule is the systolic hypertension cutpoint.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008.
 

Page 6 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

untreated hypertensive men and women

18–39 years 40–59 years 60 years and over 

0.05 

0.04 

0.03 

0.03 

0.02 

Untreated 

hypertensive 

Normal 

Treated 

hypertensive 

0.01 

0.00 

0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

0.05 

0.04 

Density 

0.05 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

80 110 140 170 200 80 110 140 170 200 80 110 140 170 200 

Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) 

NOTE: Vertical dashed rule is the systolic hypertension cutpoint. 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008. 

indicates that the distributions are

centered below the hypertension

cutpoint of 90 mm Hg (Figures 7 and

Conclusions

In the U.S. population in 2001–

8). This is supported by the estimated

medians for these groups: 74 mm Hg

for treated men and 87 mm Hg for

untreated men; 71 mm Hg for treated

women and 80 mm Hg for untreated

women.

2008, differences were seen in the mean

blood pressures of adults in the

Figure 5. Mean systolic blood pressure for men aged 18 years and over, by age and

hypertension status

demographic subgroups examined. The

patterns of these differences varied by

hypertension status. As might be

expected, mean blood pressures were

lowest for normotensive adults, followed

by treated hypertensive adults, with

untreated hypertensive adults having the

highest mean blood pressures. There

was a trend of increasing systolic blood

pressure with increasing age, whereas

mean diastolic blood pressure increased

then decreased with age in men and

women. The results showed a higher

mean blood pressure in non-Hispanic

black than non-Hispanic white adults;

this was true for systolic blood pressure

in all three hypertension status

categories but for diastolic blood

pressure only in treated hypertensive

adults.

Some of the differences observed in

blood pressure are similar to results

published using earlier NHANES data.

The trends in blood pressure with age

can vary between populations (18). The

rise in systolic blood pressure with age

in the U.S. population was documented

using NHANES III, 1988–1994 data

(19). The authors also documented a rise

in mean diastolic blood pressure from

early adulthood until about age 60, with

a decline in mean diastolic blood

pressure from about age 60 and over.

JNC 7 noted the importance of

achieving a downward shift in the

population distribution of blood

Figure 6. Mean systolic blood pressure for women aged 18 years and over, by age and pressure, to reduce morbidity and

hypertension status
18–39 years 40–59 years 60 years and over 

0.05 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

0.05 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

0.05 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

0.01 

0.00 

Density 

Untreated 

hypertensive 

Normal 

Treated 

hypertensive 

30 60 90 120 30 60 90 120 30 60 90 120 

Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) 

NOTE: Vertical dashed rule is the diastolic hypertension cutpoint.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008. 

National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011	 Page 7

mortality related to hypertension (3).

The present results provide detailed

reference data from a nationally

representative survey, which can be used

for comparison with other studies. These

estimates of the distribution of blood

pressure for population subgroups may

be useful for policy makers considering

ways to achieve this goal.

References

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technology. Hyattsville, MD. 2010.

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Recent trends in the prevalence of

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18–39 years 40–59 years 60 years and over 

0.05 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

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0.00 

0.05 

0.04 

0.03 

0.02 

0.01 

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0.05 

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Density 

Untreated 

hypertensive 

Normal 

Treated 

hypertensive 

30 60 90 120 30 60 90 120 30 60 90 120 

Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) 

NOTE: Vertical dashed rule is the diastolic hypertension cutpoint.
 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008. 

Figure 7. Mean diastolic blood pressure for men aged 18 years and over, by age and

hpertension status

Figure 8. Mean diastolic blood pressure for women aged 18 years and over, by age and

hypertension status
Page 8	 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

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National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011 Page 9

Table 1. Hypertension status among adults aged 18 and over, by sex, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and

Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008

Hypertension status

Normal Treated Untreated

Total

sample Sample Standard Sample Standard Sample Standard

Characteristic size size Percent error size Percent error size Percent error

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,921 13,093 70.6 0.58 4,603 19.5 0.50 2,225 9.9 0.32 

Sex

Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,142 6,780 71.6 0.68 2,132 17.5 0.58 1,230 10.9 1

0.44

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,779 6,313 69.7 0.65 2,471 21.5 0.61 995 8.9 0.34

Race or ethnicity

Non-Hispanic white...................... 9,755 6,151 69.6 0.70 2,467 20.4 0.59 1,137 10.0 1

0.39

Non-Hispanic black...................... 4,291 2,569 62.8 1.07 1,219 25.5 0.87 503 11.7 0.62

Mexican American ...................... 4,002 3,022 83.6 1.15 579 8.8 0.85 401 7.6 0.55

Age

18–39 years .......................... 7,676 7,172 92.9 0.41 198 2.7 0.26 306 4.3 1

0.32

40–59 years .......................... 5,826 3,877 68.6 0.91 1,239 20.0 0.68 710 11.4 0.63

60 years and over ...................... 6,419 2,044 33.3 0.87 3,166 49.3 0.80 1,209 17.4 0.67

1

p < 0.05 for a chi square test of the distribution of hypertension categories across the demographic trait.

Table 2. Mean systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) and standard error of the mean among adults aged 18 and over, by hypertension status,

race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008

Hypertension status

Total Normal Treated Untreated

Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic Mean error Mean error Mean error Mean error

All races or ethnicities 

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 122 0.2 116 0.2 130 0.5 146 0.3 

18–39 years ............................ 115 1

0.2 113 10.2 125 10.9 140 10.6 

40–59 years ............................ 123 0.3 117 0.2 129 0.6 147 0.6 

60 years and over......................... 136 0.5 121 0.4 139 0.5 157 0.5 

Non-Hispanic white 

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 122 2

0.3 116 20.2 128 20.7 145 20.5 

18–39 years ............................ 114 1

0.3 113 10.2 123 11.5 139 10.9 

40–59 years ............................ 122 0.4 117 0.3 127 0.7 145 0.7 

60 years and over......................... 135 0.5 121 0.5 138 0.6 156 0.6 

Non-Hispanic black 

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 127 3,40.4 118 3,40.3 134 3

0.9 149 30.8 

18–39 years ............................ 118 1

0.3 115 10.3 130 12.0 140 11.2 

40–59 years ............................ 129 0.7 118 0.4 134 0.9 151 1.2 

60 years and over......................... 141 0.9 122 0.9 142 1.0 160 1.6 

Mexican American 

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 123 2

0.5 117 20.4 133 2.5 148 0.9 

18–39 years ............................ 115 1

0.4 113 10.3 128 5.2 141 11.2 

40–59 years ............................ 123 0.5 117 0.4 132 1.6 151 1.4 

60 years and over......................... 138 1.1 122 0.8 142 1.4 157 1.2 

1

p < 0.05 for a test of linear trend across age groups. 2

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic black adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 

3

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic white adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 

4

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from Mexican-American adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 
Page 10 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Table 3. Mean systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) and standard error of the mean among men aged 18 and over, by hypertension status,

race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008

Hypertension status

Total Normal Treated Untreated

Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic Mean error Mean error Mean error Mean error

All races or ethnicities

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 124 0.3 119 0.2 130 0.6 145 0.4

18–39 years ............................... 119 1

0.3 117 10.3 127 11.2 140 10.7

40–59 years ............................... 124 0.4 119 0.3 129 0.7 145 0.9

60 years and over ........................... 133 0.5 121 0.4 135 0.7 154 0.7

Non-Hispanic white

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 123 2

0.3 118 0.3 128 20.9 144 20.5

18–39 years ............................... 118 1

0.4 117 10.4 126 11.7 139 10.9

40–59 years ............................... 124 0.5 119 0.3 128 0.9 144 1.1

60 years and over ........................... 132 0.6 121 0.5 134 0.7 153 0.7

Non-Hispanic black

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 128 3,40.4 120 0.4 134 3

1.1 147 30.8

18–39 years ............................... 121 1

0.4 119 0.3 130 2.7 140 11.2

40–59 years ............................... 129 0.8 120 0.7 135 1.6 148 1.5

60 years and over ........................... 137 0.9 121 1.0 138 1.2 157 1.7

Mexican American

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 124 2

0.6 119 0.5 133 3.1 146 1.1

18–39 years ............................... 118 1

0.5 117 10.4 133 6.9 141 11.4

40–59 years ............................... 123 0.7 119 0.5 130 2.0 147 2.0

60 years and over ........................... 135 1.3 122 1.0 138 2.1 155 2.1

1

p < 0.05 for a test of linear trend across age groups. 2

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic black adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 3

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic white adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 4

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from Mexican-American adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 
National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011 Page 11

Table 4. Mean systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) and standard error of the mean among women aged 18 and over, by hypertension

status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008

Hypertension status

Total Normal Treated Untreated

Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic Mean error Mean error Mean error Mean error

All races or ethnicities

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 121 0.2 114 0.2 129 0.7 147 0.9

18–39 years ............................ 110 1

0.2 109 10.2 123 11.5 140 11.8

40–59 years ............................ 122 0.4 115 0.4 129 0.9 149 0.8

60 years and over......................... 139 0.5 122 0.6 141 0.6 159 0.8

Non-Hispanic white

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 120 2

0.3 114 20.3 127 21.1 145 1.4

18–39 years ............................ 109 1

0.3 109 10.3 119 12.4 137 13.2

40–59 years ............................ 120 0.5 115 0.5 127 1.1 147 1.0

60 years and over......................... 138 0.6 122 0.7 141 0.8 158 0.9

Non-Hispanic black

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 126 3,40.5 117 3,40.5 134 3

1.3 151 1.2

18–39 years ............................ 114 1

0.5 112 10.4 129 12.9 140 11.7

40–59 years ............................ 128 0.9 117 0.7 133 1.3 154 1.8

60 years and over......................... 144 1.2 124 1.2 144 1.3 164 2.1

Mexican American

18 years and over, age-adjusted ................ 121 2

0.6 114 20.5 131 1.6 150 1.5

18–39 years ............................ 110 1

0.5 109 10.5 122 14.2 140 12.5

40–59 years ............................ 122 0.8 116 0.6 134 2.3 156 2.1

60 years and over......................... 141 1.4 121 1.0 145 1.8 159 1.3

1

p < 0.05 for a test of linear trend across age groups. 2

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic black adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 3

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic white adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 4

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from Mexican-American adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 
Page 12 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Table 5. Mean diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) and standard error of the mean among adults aged 18 and over, by hypertension status,

race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008

Hypertension status

Total Normal Treated Untreated

Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic Mean error Mean error Mean error Mean error

All races or ethnicities

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 71 0.2 69 0.2 75 0.4 84 0.5

18–39 years ............................... 69 0.2 68 1

0.2 77 10.9 87 11.0

40–59 years ............................... 75 0.2 73 0.2 77 0.4 87 0.6

60 years and over ........................... 68 0.3 67 0.3 68 0.3 74 0.5

Non-Hispanic white

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 71 2

0.2 69 0.2 74 20.6 85 0.7

18–39 years ............................... 69 0.2 68 1

0.2 76 11.3 88 11.4

40–59 years ............................... 75 0.3 73 0.3 76 0.5 87 0.8

60 years and over ........................... 68 0.3 67 0.3 67 0.4 74 0.6

Non-Hispanic black

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 73 3,40.3 69 0.3 78 3

0.7 85 0.6

18–39 years ............................... 70 0.3 68 0.3 82 1

1.5 86 11.3

40–59 years ............................... 77 0.4 72 0.4 79 0.6 88 0.8

60 years and over ........................... 70 0.6 66 0.7 70 0.6 77 1.3

Mexican American

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 70 2

0.3 69 0.3 74 1.6 83 1.0

18–39 years ............................... 67 0.4 67 0.3 74 3.9 85 1

1.8

40–59 years ............................... 74 0.4 72 0.4 76 1.0 87 1.1

60 years and over ........................... 68 0.5 67 0.7 68 0.8 71 0.8

1

p < 0.05 for a test of linear trend across age groups. 2

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic black adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 3

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic white adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 4

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from Mexican-American adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 
National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011 Page 13

Table 6. Mean diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) and standard error of the mean among men aged 18 and over, by hypertension status,

race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008

Hypertension status

Total Normal Treated Untreated

Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic Mean error Mean error Mean error Mean error

All races or ethnicities

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 72 0.2 70 0.2 77 0.6 85 0.6

18–39 years ............................... 70 0.2 68 1

0.2 79 11.2 87 11.2

40–59 years ............................... 77 0.3 74 0.2 79 0.6 88 0.8

60 years and over ........................... 69 0.3 67 0.3 69 0.5 76 0.6

Non-Hispanic white

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 72 2,40.2 70 0.2 76 0.8 85 0.8

18–39 years ............................... 70 0.3 69 1

0.3 78 11.7 88 11.6

40–59 years ............................... 76 0.3 74 0.3 78 0.7 88 0.9

60 years and over ........................... 69 0.4 67 0.4 69 0.5 76 0.7

Non-Hispanic black

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 74 3,40.4 70 0.4 79 1.0 86 0.8

18–39 years ............................... 71 0.4 68 0.4 82 1

2.2 86 1.4

40–59 years ............................... 79 0.6 74 0.6 82 0.9 91 1.1

60 years and over ........................... 71 0.9 67 0.9 71 1.1 77 1.9

Mexican American

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 71 2,30.3 69 0.4 76 2.0 83 1.0

18–39 years ............................... 68 0.5 67 0.4 79 4.8 85 1

2.1

40–59 years ............................... 75 0.4 73 0.4 76 1.5 89 1.3

60 years and over ........................... 69 0.6 68 1.0 69 1.3 73 1.1

1

p < 0.05 for a test of linear trend across age groups. 2

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic black adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 3

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic white adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 4

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from Mexican-American adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 
Page 14 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Table 7. Mean diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) and standard error of the mean among women aged 18 and over, by hypertension

status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2008

Hypertension status

Total Normal Treated Untreated

Standard Standard Standard Standard

Characteristic Mean error Mean error Mean error Mean error

All races or ethnicities

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 70 0.2 68 0.2 74 0.7 85 0.6

18–39 years ............................... 68 0.3 67 0.3 76 1

1.6 90 11.3

40–59 years ............................... 74 0.3 72 0.3 76 0.5 86 0.9

60 years and over ........................... 68 0.3 66 0.4 67 0.4 72 0.8

Non-Hispanic white

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 70 2

0.3 69 0.2 72 20.9 86 0.7

18–39 years ............................... 68 0.3 67 0.3 72 1.8 92 1

1.6

40–59 years ............................... 74 0.4 72 0.4 75 0.7 87 1.2

60 years and over ........................... 67 0.4 66 0.4 66 0.5 72 0.9

Non-Hispanic black

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 71 3,40.3 68 0.4 78 3

0.9 84 1.2

18–39 years ............................... 69 0.4 67 0.4 83 1

2.1 88 12.4

40–59 years ............................... 75 0.6 71 0.5 77 0.8 85 1.3

60 years and over ........................... 70 0.5 66 1.1 69 0.6 77 1.6

Mexican American

18 years and over, age-adjusted .................. 69 2

0.4 68 0.4 71 2.0 83 1.4

18–39 years ............................... 66 0.5 66 0.4 69 4.6 87 1

2.2

40–59 years ............................... 73 0.5 71 0.5 76 1.3 86 1.8

60 years and over ........................... 67 0.8 65 1.0 68 0.9 70 1.2

1

p < 0.05 for a test of linear trend across age groups. 2

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic black adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 3

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from non-Hispanic white adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 4

p < 0.05 for a test of difference from Mexican-American adults (adjusted for multiple comparisons). 
National Health Statistics Reports

n Number 35n March 25, 2011 Page 15

olic blood pressure (mm Hg) for adults aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health

01–2008

Hypertension status

Total percentile Normal percentile Treated percentile Untreated percentile

5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th

98 110 119 131 157 97 107 115 123 134 105 119 131 145 173 127 141 146 156 179

96 106 113 121 135 96 106 113 120 130 101 117 125 132 148 123 134 141 145 154

100 112 121 131 152 98 109 117 124 134 102 116 127 139 163 125 140 144 152 174

105 120 133 148 177 100 113 122 130 137 107 123 136 150 180 140 145 152 164 189

98 110 119 131 156 97 108 115 123 134 105 119 131 144 171 127 141 146 156 178

96 106 113 121 134 96 106 112 119 130 99 116 124 130 141 123 133 141 144 151

99 111 120 130 149 98 109 117 124 134 102 116 125 137 158 124 139 143 151 170

105 120 133 147 175 100 113 122 130 137 107 122 135 149 178 140 145 151 163 186100 112 122 135 164 99 109 116 124 135 104 121 133 150 179 126 140 147 157 184

99 109 116 125 140 98 108 115 122 133 101 118 128 139 158 118 135 141 147 155

101 115 125 139 166 100 110 118 126 136 102 119 131 146 174 127 141 148 158 181107 124 137 154 187 102 115 124 131 137 109 125 138 155 187 140 146 154 170 200

98 108 116 127 149 98 107 114 122 132 104 121 133 148 179 127 141 145 154 182

97 107 114 121 134 97 106 113 119 130 97 115 122 134 * 122 136 142 144 151

100 111 120 131 153 99 110 117 125 135 102 119 131 144 165 126 141 148 161 181

107 121 135 151 182 103 113 122 130 137 111 125 137 156 188 140 145 152 164 191

ize criteria.
Page 16 National Health Statistics Reports

n Number 35n March 25, 2011

olic blood pressure (mm Hg) for men aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health and

2008

Hypertension status

Total percentile Normal percentile Treated percentile Untreated percentile

5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th

102 113 121 131 152 101 111 118 125 134 105 119 130 141 168 125 139 144 152 172

101 111 117 125 138 101 110 116 123 132 107 119 125 133 148 124 134 141 144 152

103 114 122 132 151 102 112 118 125 135 104 118 127 139 161 124 137 143 151 171

103 119 131 144 169 99 113 122 130 137 105 120 133 146 172 140 145 151 160 181

102 113 121 131 151 101 111 118 125 134 105 119 129 140 166 125 139 144 152 171

101 111 117 125 137 100 110 116 123 133 109 119 125 133 143 124 134 141 144 150

103 114 121 131 148 102 112 118 125 134 104 117 126 136 155 124 137 142 150 169

102 118 130 143 167 98 113 122 130 137 105 120 132 145 170 140 145 150 159 177

104 115 123 135 159 103 112 119 126 135 106 121 132 148 175 125 140 145 154 176

104 113 120 128 142 103 112 119 125 134 100 119 128 135 155 120 135 141 146 155

103 117 126 139 165 101 113 119 127 136 103 120 132 149 174 125 140 145 157 178

106 121 134 148 178 100 111 122 132 137 110 122 135 148 179 138 144 152 164 191

102 112 118 128 145 102 111 117 124 133 101 121 131 145 169 125 139 143 150 175

102 111 117 125 137 102 111 116 123 132 * 114 124 134 * 123 135 141 145 151

102 112 121 131 150 102 111 118 126 136 96 119 130 138 161 124 138 145 151 180106 120 132 145 173 105 114 122 130 137 106 124 136 148 178 * 144 150 160 187

ize criteria.
National Health Statistics Reports

n Number 35n March 25, 2011 Page 17

olic blood pressure (mm Hg) for women aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health

01–2008

Hypertension status

Total percentile Normal percentile Treated percentile Untreated percentile

5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th

96 107 117 131 160 95 104 112 120 132 104 120 133 148 177 130 142 149 160 185

94 103 109 116 128 94 102 109 115 126 99 114 123 130 148 114 131 142 146 157

97 109 119 131 153 96 107 115 124 134 101 115 127 140 164 127 141 146 154 176

107 122 135 151 181 102 114 122 130 137 109 125 138 155 183 140 145 153 167 194

96 108 117 131 160 95 105 112 121 132 105 119 133 147 175 130 142 148 160 184

94 102 109 115 127 94 102 108 115 125 93 112 120 127 132 * 128 140 145 *

97 109 119 130 150 95 107 115 123 133 100 115 125 137 160 125 140 144 152 172

107 122 135 150 180 102 114 122 130 137 108 125 137 154 182 140 145 153 166 192

98 110 120 135 167 97 106 114 121 134 103 120 133 150 183 128 143 150 159 188

97 105 113 120 138 97 104 112 118 131 100 117 128 139 157 116 130 141 151 *

101 113 124 139 167 98 108 117 126 136 102 117 130 145 174 134 144 150 159 184108 126 139 158 193 104 118 125 130 137 107 126 141 159 192 140 149 156 175 207

96 105 113 124 155 95 104 110 117 131 106 121 136 154 180 138 143 150 164 184

94 103 108 115 127 94 103 108 114 124 * 113 119 130 * * 138 142 144 *

99 110 118 130 159 98 109 115 124 133 103 119 132 146 172 131 144 150 165 181

107 123 138 154 184 101 112 122 131 137 112 127 140 160 194 141 146 152 165 192

ize criteria.
Page 18 National Health Statistics Reports

n Number 35n March 25, 2011

tolic blood pressure (mm Hg) for adults aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health

01–2008

Hypertension status

Total percentile Normal percentile Treated percentile Untreated percentile

5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th

52 64 71 78 90 53 63 70 76 84 50 63 72 81 93 57 74 84 92 101

52 61 68 75 86 51 61 68 74 83 59 69 76 85 99 62 81 90 95 102

59 69 75 81 92 58 67 73 78 85 58 70 77 84 95 69 80 89 93 103

47 60 69 76 89 48 61 67 73 82 46 59 68 76 89 49 66 74 83 93

52 64 71 78 89 53 63 70 76 84 49 63 71 80 91 56 73 83 91 100

52 62 68 75 86 52 61 68 74 83 56 68 75 84 94 63 83 91 95 10259 69 75 81 91 59 67 73 78 86 58 69 76 84 94 69 80 89 93 102

47 60 69 76 88 48 61 67 73 82 46 59 68 76 88 49 66 74 82 9352 64 72 80 94 52 62 70 76 84 52 66 76 84 99 59 77 87 93 10651 62 69 76 90 51 61 68 75 83 60 73 82 91 102 58 78 90 93 10258 69 76 84 98 56 67 73 78 87 59 71 78 86 102 68 81 89 95 109

47 61 71 79 93 46 60 68 74 80 47 60 70 79 93 50 68 77 88 99

52 62 69 76 88 51 61 68 74 84 51 64 71 80 94 55 74 83 91 102

50 60 67 74 85 50 60 67 73 82 50 62 69 80 * 51 76 88 93 102

58 68 73 80 90 57 67 72 77 86 58 69 75 82 95 72 80 88 93 105

49 60 68 76 87 48 60 67 73 82 48 59 69 76 89 51 63 71 79 90

ize criteria.
National Health Statistics Reports

n Number 35n March 25, 2011 Page 19

tolic blood pressure (mm Hg) for men aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health

01–2008

Hypertension status

Total percentile Normal percentile Treated percentile Untreated percentile

5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th

53 65 72 80 91 53 64 71 77 85 52 65 74 83 95 61 76 87 93 101

51 62 70 77 88 51 61 69 76 84 62 72 76 85 101 59 80 90 95 103

60 70 76 83 94 60 69 74 80 86 58 70 79 86 97 69 82 90 94 102

49 61 69 77 89 49 61 67 74 82 48 60 69 77 90 54 68 75 84 9453 65 73 80 91 53 64 71 77 85 51 63 73 82 93 61 75 86 92 100

51 62 70 77 89 51 62 69 76 85 62 72 76 86 98 62 80 91 95 102

60 70 76 82 93 60 69 74 80 86 57 70 79 85 95 67 81 89 94 101

49 61 69 76 89 49 61 67 74 82 48 60 69 77 90 54 68 75 84 9353 65 74 82 96 52 63 71 77 85 53 68 77 86 102 58 79 90 95 109

51 63 71 78 90 50 61 69 75 83 58 73 83 90 106 57 79 90 94 102

59 70 78 87 100 58 68 74 80 87 61 73 80 91 105 69 83 91 96 11147 61 72 80 95 48 60 68 74 81 45 61 71 81 96 47 69 78 88 101

50 62 70 77 88 50 62 69 76 85 52 65 73 80 95 58 74 87 92 102

48 60 68 75 87 48 60 67 74 84 * 64 71 81 * 48 75 88 93 102

58 69 74 81 90 58 68 73 78 87 57 69 75 81 95 72 82 89 93 10550 61 69 77 88 50 61 68 76 84 48 60 70 78 89 51 66 74 79 90

ize criteria.
Page 20 National Health Statistics Reports

n Number 35n March 25, 2011

tolic blood pressure (mm Hg) for women aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity, and age: United States, National Health

01–2008

Hypertension status

Total percentile Normal percentile Treated percentile Untreated percentile

5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th 5th 25th 50th 75th 95th

52 63 70 77 88 53 62 69 75 83 48 62 71 79 91 54 71 80 90 100

52 61 67 73 83 52 61 67 73 81 57 65 75 85 97 72 84 90 93 101

58 67 73 80 91 57 66 72 77 84 59 69 75 83 93 69 79 87 92 103

45 59 68 76 88 46 60 67 73 82 44 58 67 75 88 46 64 73 82 9352 63 70 77 88 53 63 69 75 83 47 62 70 78 89 51 70 80 90 100

52 61 67 73 82 52 61 67 73 81 53 62 70 81 * 78 88 91 95 101

59 67 73 80 91 58 66 72 77 84 59 69 75 81 91 69 79 88 92 104

45 59 68 76 87 46 60 67 72 82 43 57 67 75 87 46 64 73 82 9352 63 71 79 92 52 62 69 75 83 52 66 75 83 97 60 75 83 91 10152 62 68 76 89 51 61 67 74 83 61 72 80 92 101 67 77 90 92 *

56 68 75 82 95 55 65 72 77 85 58 70 77 84 98 64 77 84 92 10047 60 70 78 92 44 60 68 73 79 48 59 70 78 92 52 66 76 86 99

52 62 68 74 85 53 61 68 73 81 49 62 70 79 93 55 71 79 89 9952 60 66 72 79 52 60 66 71 78 * 59 65 72 * * 77 88 92 *

57 67 73 79 90 56 66 71 76 84 58 68 74 82 94 72 77 83 93 105

48 59 67 75 86 48 58 65 71 79 48 59 68 75 88 51 61 70 79 89

size criteria.
National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011 Page 21

Technical Notes

Table. Sample sizes for adults aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity, 

and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 

2001–2008 

Hypertension status

Characteristic Total Normal Treated Untreated

Total

All races or ethnicities:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 19,921 13,093 4,603 2,225

18–39 years......................... 7,676 7,172 198 306

40–59 years......................... 5,826 3,877 1,239 710

60 years and over ..................... 6,419 2,044 3,166 1,209

Non-Hispanic white:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 9,755 6,151 2,467 1,137

18–39 years......................... 3,061 2,864 84 113

40–59 years......................... 2,900 2,009 575 316

60 years and over ..................... 3,794 1,278 1,808 708

Non-Hispanic black:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 4,291 2,569 1,219 503

18–39 years......................... 1,859 1,672 82 105

40–59 years......................... 1,283 661 410 212

60 years and over ..................... 1,149 236 727 186

Mexican American:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 4,002 3,022 579 401

18–39 years......................... 1,926 1,853 16 57

40–59 years......................... 1,052 803 142 107

60 years and over ..................... 1,024 366 421 237

Men

All races or ethnicities:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 10,142 6,780 2,132 1,230

18–39 years......................... 4,021 3,676 102 243

40–59 years......................... 2,924 1,940 577 407

60 years and over ..................... 3,197 1,164 1,453 580

Non-Hispanic white:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 5,004 3,183 1,215 606

18–39 years......................... 1,597 1,451 53 93

40–59 years......................... 1,476 1,006 288 182

60 years and over ..................... 1,931 726 874 331

Non-Hispanic black:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 2,169 1,342 527 300

18–39 years......................... 976 864 36 76

40–59 years......................... 623 337 168 118

60 years and over ..................... 570 141 323 106

Mexican American:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 2,062 1,592 255 215

18–39 years......................... 1,029 976 7 46

40–59 years......................... 545 411 72 62

60 years and over ..................... 488 205 176 107

Women

All races or ethnicities:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 9,779 6,313 2,471 995

18–39 years......................... 3,655 3,496 96 63

40–59 years......................... 2,902 1,937 662 303

60 years and over ..................... 3,222 880 1,713 629

Non-Hispanic white:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 4,751 2,968 1,252 531

18–39 years......................... 1,464 1,413 31 20

40–59 years......................... 1,424 1,003 287 134

60 years and over ..................... 1,863 552 934 377

Non-Hispanic black:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 2,122 1,227 692 203

18–39 years......................... 883 808 46 29

40–59 years......................... 660 324 242 94

60 years and over ..................... 579 95 404 80
Page 22 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Table. Sample sizes for adults aged 18 and over, by hypertension status, race or ethnicity,

and age: United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,

2001–2008—Con.

Hypertension status

Characteristic Total Normal Treated Untreated

Mexican American:

18 years and over, age-adjusted ............ 1,940 1,430 324 186

18–39 years......................... 897 877 9 11

40–59 years......................... 507 392 70 45

60 years and over ..................... 536 161 245 130
Page 24 National Health Statistics Reports n Number 35 n March 25, 2011

Affiliation Note

Dr. Wright is currently affiliated with the Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,

National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

Suggested citation

Wright JD, Hughes JP, Ostchega Y, et al.

Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in

adults aged 18 and over in the United States,

2001–2008. National health statistics reports;

no 35. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for

Health Statistics. 2011.

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

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director 

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director 

for Science 

Division of Health and Nutrition 

Examination Surveys 

Clifford L. Johnson, M.S.P.H., Director

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

3311 Toledo Road

Hyattsville, MD 20782

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calling 1–800–232–4636

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 2011–1250

CS219766

T38807 (03/2011)