The Medical clinics of North America
-
At least 43 million (24%) adults in the general population of the United States have hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age and is higher among African-Americans compared to other ethnic groups. ⋯ To achieve the final goal of eliminating all blood pressure-related disease in the community, detection and treatment of hypertension must be complemented by equally energetic approaches directed at primary prevention of hypertension. A small downward shift in the entire distribution of blood pressure in the general population will not only reduce the incidence of hypertension, but substantially diminish the burden of blood pressure in the general population.