Improving Self-Management of Uncontrolled Hypertension

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the most prepotent chronic diseases in the United States. It affects one-third of the population over 20 years of age (Findlow, Basalik, Dulin, Tapp, & Kuhn, 2013). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nearly half of adults in the United States (108 million, or 45%) have hypertension, which is defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥ 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of ≥ 80 mmHg or are taking medication(s) for blood pressure (CDC, 2020). Additionally, only about 1 in 4 adults (25%) with hypertension have their condition under control. Hypertension puts individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as heart disease and stroke, which are known leading causes of death in the United States and worldwide (CDC, 2020; WHO, 2018).