Undiagnosed Hypertension Runs Rampant

WRITTEN BY: Kara Marker

New information released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that approximately one-third of Americans with hypertension are unaware of their condition, leaving them without a reason to visit their doctor for medication. Other undiagnosed hypertension cases occur because of a lack of access to health care or health insurance. However, reducing the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension is vital for reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke in the human population.

Diagnosing and treating for hypertension can be difficult because there are essentially no symptoms to be relieved. However, in this short video, the CDC describes four steps to identifying hypertensive patients for doctors to follow:

1. Establish clinical criteria for diagnosing hypertension
2. Search electronic health care data for people who meet these qualifications
3. Make a plan to diagnose the patients
4. Estimate local hypertension prevalence with national estimates for quality control

About the Author

Kara Marker

Master's (MA/MS/Other)

I am a scientific journalist and enthusiast, especially in the realm of biomedicine. I am passionate about conveying the truth in scientific phenomena and subsequently improving health and public awareness. Sometimes scientific research needs a translator to effectively communicate the scientific jargon present in significant findings. I plan to be that translating communicator, and I hope to decrease the spread of misrepresented scientific phenomena! Check out my science blog: ScienceKara.com.

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DEC 12, 2020

Space & Astronomy