2ĭespite having the highest prevalence of hypertension and greatest risk for CV morbidity and mortality, older adults are frequently undertreated for elevated blood pressure (BP). 1 This number will continue to rise as our population ages as 15% of the US population was ≥65 years old in 2014 and this is expected to increase to 20% by 2050. According to the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 70% of adults ≥65 years have hypertension. Hypertension is one of the primary modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) disease and its prevalence and severity both increase with age.
Epidemiology of Hypertension in Older Adults