Epidemiology

Hypertension affects between approximately one-third and one-half of adults in the US.

• Primary hypertension: accounts for ∼ 90% of cases of hypertension in adults and prevalence is increasing in children and adolescents. [1][4][10]

• Secondary hypertension: accounts for ∼ 10% of cases of hypertension in adults [1]

Prevalence increases with age: Approximately 65–75% of adults develop hypertension by 65–74 years of age. [11]

Rates are highest in African American individuals, followed by white individuals, and lowest in Asian American and Hispanic individuals. [8][12][13][14]

∼ 60–87% of overweight and ∼ 73–95% of obese patients are affected.

♂ > ♀ below 65 years of age

After menopause, prevalence increases in women.