Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, and Control in US Adults Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Hypertension is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States, but national trends in hypertension after the COVID-19 pandemic remain unknown. We analyzed NHANES data from pre-pandemic (2017–March 2020) and post-pandemic (August 2021–August 2023) surveys to determine nationwide prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension. Weighted, age-standardized prevalence estimates were compared using Poisson regression with prevalence ratios (PRs). Among 14 449 participants representing 237 million US adults, hypertension prevalence was 49.5% pre-pandemic versus 47.7% post-pandemic (PR 0.96; p = 0.15). Overall, hypertension awareness was unchanged (57.7% vs. 53.7%; PR 0.96; p = 0.14) but declined among adults aged 18–39 years (PR 0.78; p = 0.02). Blood pressure control remained low (25.9% vs. 22.3%; PR 0.91; p = 0.06) and worsened in men (PR 0.83; p = 0.01). In conclusion, hypertension prevalence, awareness, and control did not significantly improve post-pandemic. More aggressive public health efforts are needed to reduce the adverse impacts of hypertension in the United States.