Angelo Sinopoli

Closing the Gap in Hypertension Control Between Younger and Older Adults National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988 to 2010

Background —Joint National Committee goal blood pressure (BP) for all adults was <140/<90 mmHg or lower from 1984 to 2013. Adults ≥60 years (older) have mainly isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) with major trials attaining systolic BP <150 but not <140. The main objective was to assess changes in hypertension control to <140/<90 in younger (<60 years) and older adults and <150/<90 in the latter. Methods and Results —National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988-1994, 1999-2004, 2005-2010 were analyzed in adults ≥18 years. From 1988-1994 to 2005-2010, hypertension control to <140/<90 improved in older (31.6% to 53.1%, p<0.001) and younger (45.7% to 55.9%, p<0.001) patients. The age gap in control declined from 14.1% (p<0.01) in 1988-1994 to 2.8% (p=0.13) in 2005-2010. Better hypertension control reflected increased percentages of older (55.6% to 77.5%) and younger (34.6% to 54.7%) patients on treatment and treated older (45.7% to 64.9%) and younger patients (56.8% to 73.4%) controlled (all p<0.001). Control to <150/<90 rose from 48.8% to 69.9% in older adults. Antihypertensive medication number and percentages on ≥3 medications increased in both age groups but more in older patients (p<0.01). BP control was higher in both age groups with ≥2 healthcare visits/year and statin therapy. Conclusions —The age gap in hypertension control to <140/<90 was virtually eliminated in 2005-2010 as clinicians intensified therapy, especially in older patients where ISH predominates controlling 70% to <150/<90. More frequent healthcare and statin therapy may improve hypertension control in all adults.Background— Joint National Committee goal blood pressure for all adults was <140/<90 mm Hg or lower from 1984 to 2013. Adults aged ≥60 years (older) have mainly isolated systolic hypertension, with major trials attaining systolic blood pressure <150 but not <140 mm Hg. The main objective was to assess changes in hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg in younger (aged <60 years) and older adults and <150/<90 mm Hg in the latter. Methods and Results— National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2010 were analyzed in adults aged ≥18 years. From 1988 to 1994 to 2005 to 2010, hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg improved in older (31.6% to 53.1%; P<0.001) and younger (45.7% to 55.9%; P<0.001) patients. The age gap in control declined from 14.1% (P<0.01) in 1988 to 1994 to 2.8% (P=0.13) in 2005 to 2010. Better hypertension control reflected increased percentages of older (55.6% to 77.5%) and younger (34.6% to 54.7%) patients on treatment and treated older (45.7% to 64.9%) and younger (56.8% to 73.4%) patients controlled (all P<0.001). Control to <150/<90 mm Hg rose from 48.8% to 69.9% in older adults. Antihypertensive medication number and percentages on ≥3 medications increased in both age groups but increased more in older patients (P<0.01). Blood pressure control was higher in both age groups with ≥2 healthcare visits per year and on statin therapy. Conclusions— The age gap in hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg was virtually eliminated in 2005 to 2010 as clinicians intensified therapy, especially in older patients in whom isolated systolic hypertension predominates, controlling 70% to <150/<90 mm Hg. More frequent healthcare visits and the use of statin therapy may improve hypertension control in all adults.

The Growing Gap in Hypertension Control Between Insured and Uninsured AdultsNovelty and Significance: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988 to 2010

Hypertension awareness, treatment and control are lower among uninsured than insured adults. Time trends in differences and underlying modifiable factors are important for informing strategies to improve health equity. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988–1994, 1999–2004, 2005–2010 data in adults 18–64 years were analyzed to explore this opportunity. The proportion of adults with hypertension who were uninsured increased from 12.3% in 1988–1994 to 17.4% in 2005–2010. In 1988–1994, hypertension awareness, treatment and control to <140/<90 millimeters mercury (30.1% versus 26.5, p=0.27) were similar in insured and uninsured adults. By 2005–2010, the absolute gap in hypertension control between uninsured and insured adults of 21.9% (52.5% versus 30.6%, p<0.001]) was explained approximately equally by lower awareness (65.2% versus 80.7%), fewer aware adults treated (75.2% versus 88.5%,and fewer treated adults controlled (63.1% versus 73.5% [all p<0.001]). Publicly insured and uninsured adults had similar income. Yet, hypertension control was similar across time periods in publicly and privately insured adults, despite lower income and education in the former. In multivariable analysis, hypertension control in 2005–2010 was associated with visit frequency (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval [2.4–4.8]), statin therapy (1.8 [1.4–2.3]) and healthcare insurance (1.6 [1.2–2.2]) but not poverty index (1.04 [0.96–1.12]). Public or private insurance linked to more frequent healthcare, greater awareness and effective treatment of hypertension, and appropriate statin use could reverse a long-term trend of growing inequity in hypertension control between insured and uninsured adults.Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control are lower among uninsured than insured adults. Time trends in differences and underlying modifiable factors are important for informing strategies to improve health equity. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2010 data in adults aged 18 to 64 years were analyzed to explore this opportunity. The proportion of adults with hypertension who were uninsured increased from 12.3% in 1988 to 1994 to 17.4% in 2005 to 2010. In 1988 to 1994, hypertension awareness, treatment, and control to <140/<90 mm Hg (30.1% versus 26.5%; P=0.27) were similar in insured and uninsured adults. By 2005 to 2010, the absolute gap in hypertension control between uninsured and insured adults of 21.9% (52.5% versus 30.6%; P<0.001) was explained approximately equally by lower awareness (65.2% versus 80.7%), fewer aware adults treated (75.2% versus 88.5%), and fewer treated adults controlled (63.1% versus 73.5%; all P<0.001). Publicly insured and uninsured adults had similar income. Yet, hypertension control was similar across time periods in publicly and privately insured adults, despite lower income and education in the former. In multivariable analysis, hypertension control in 2005 to 2010 was associated with visit frequency (odds ratio, 3.4 [95% confidence interval, 2.4–4.8]), statin therapy (1.8 [1.4–2.3]), and healthcare insurance (1.6 [1.2–2.2]) but not poverty index (1.04 [0.96–1.12]). Public or private insurance linked to more frequent healthcare, greater awareness and effective treatment of hypertension, and appropriate statin use could reverse a long-term trend of growing inequity in hypertension control between insured and uninsured adults.

The Growing Gap in Hypertension Control Between Insured and Uninsured Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988 to 2010

Hypertension awareness, treatment and control are lower among uninsured than insured adults. Time trends in differences and underlying modifiable factors are important for informing strategies to improve health equity. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988–1994, 1999–2004, 2005–2010 data in adults 18–64 years were analyzed to explore this opportunity. The proportion of adults with hypertension who were uninsured increased from 12.3% in 1988–1994 to 17.4% in 2005–2010. In 1988–1994, hypertension awareness, treatment and control to <140/<90 millimeters mercury (30.1% versus 26.5, p=0.27) were similar in insured and uninsured adults. By 2005–2010, the absolute gap in hypertension control between uninsured and insured adults of 21.9% (52.5% versus 30.6%, p<0.001]) was explained approximately equally by lower awareness (65.2% versus 80.7%), fewer aware adults treated (75.2% versus 88.5%,and fewer treated adults controlled (63.1% versus 73.5% [all p<0.001]). Publicly insured and uninsured adults had similar income. Yet, hypertension control was similar across time periods in publicly and privately insured adults, despite lower income and education in the former. In multivariable analysis, hypertension control in 2005–2010 was associated with visit frequency (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval [2.4–4.8]), statin therapy (1.8 [1.4–2.3]) and healthcare insurance (1.6 [1.2–2.2]) but not poverty index (1.04 [0.96–1.12]). Public or private insurance linked to more frequent healthcare, greater awareness and effective treatment of hypertension, and appropriate statin use could reverse a long-term trend of growing inequity in hypertension control between insured and uninsured adults.Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control are lower among uninsured than insured adults. Time trends in differences and underlying modifiable factors are important for informing strategies to improve health equity. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2010 data in adults aged 18 to 64 years were analyzed to explore this opportunity. The proportion of adults with hypertension who were uninsured increased from 12.3% in 1988 to 1994 to 17.4% in 2005 to 2010. In 1988 to 1994, hypertension awareness, treatment, and control to <140/<90 mm Hg (30.1% versus 26.5%; P=0.27) were similar in insured and uninsured adults. By 2005 to 2010, the absolute gap in hypertension control between uninsured and insured adults of 21.9% (52.5% versus 30.6%; P<0.001) was explained approximately equally by lower awareness (65.2% versus 80.7%), fewer aware adults treated (75.2% versus 88.5%), and fewer treated adults controlled (63.1% versus 73.5%; all P<0.001). Publicly insured and uninsured adults had similar income. Yet, hypertension control was similar across time periods in publicly and privately insured adults, despite lower income and education in the former. In multivariable analysis, hypertension control in 2005 to 2010 was associated with visit frequency (odds ratio, 3.4 [95% confidence interval, 2.4–4.8]), statin therapy (1.8 [1.4–2.3]), and healthcare insurance (1.6 [1.2–2.2]) but not poverty index (1.04 [0.96–1.12]). Public or private insurance linked to more frequent healthcare, greater awareness and effective treatment of hypertension, and appropriate statin use could reverse a long-term trend of growing inequity in hypertension control between insured and uninsured adults.

2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guideline and Implications for Healthy People 2020 Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Goals

Background Healthy People 2020 aim to reduce fatal atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by 20%, which translates into 310 000 fewer events annually assuming proportional reduction in fatal and nonfatal ASCVD. We estimated preventable ASCVD events by implementing the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) 2013 Cholesterol Guideline in all statin‐eligible adults. Absolute risk reduction (ARR) and number needed‐to‐treat (NNT) were calculated. Methods and Results National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for 2007–2012 were analyzed for adults aged 21 to 79 years and extrapolated to the US population. Literature‐guided assumptions were used including (1) low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol falls 33% with moderate‐intensity statins and 51% with high‐intensity statins; (2) for each 39 mg/dL decline in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, 10‐year ASCVD 10 risk would fall 21% when ASCVD 10 risk was ≥20% and 33% when ASCVD 10 risk was <20%; and (3) either all statin‐eligible untreated adults or all with ASCVD 10 risk ≥7.5% would receive statins. Of 175.9 million adults aged 21 to 79 years not taking statins, 44.8 million (25.5%) were statin eligible. Treating all statin‐eligible adults would prevent an estimated 243 589 ASCVD events annually (ARR 5.4%, 10‐year NNT 18). Treating all statin‐eligible adults with ASCVD 10 risk ≥7.5% reduces the number treated to 32.2 million (28.2% fewer), whereas ASCVD events prevented annually fall only 10.5% to 217 974 (6.8% ARR, NNT 15). Conclusions Implementing the ACC/AHA 2013 Cholesterol Guideline in all untreated, statin‐eligible adults could achieve ≈78% of the Healthy People 2020 ASCVD prevention goal. Most of the benefit is attained by individuals with 10‐year ASCVD risk ≥7.5%.

Closing the Gap in Hypertension Control between Younger and Older Adults: NHANES 1988 to 2010

Background —Joint National Committee goal blood pressure (BP) for all adults was <140/<90 mmHg or lower from 1984 to 2013. Adults ≥60 years (older) have mainly isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) with major trials attaining systolic BP <150 but not <140. The main objective was to assess changes in hypertension control to <140/<90 in younger (<60 years) and older adults and <150/<90 in the latter. Methods and Results —National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988-1994, 1999-2004, 2005-2010 were analyzed in adults ≥18 years. From 1988-1994 to 2005-2010, hypertension control to <140/<90 improved in older (31.6% to 53.1%, p<0.001) and younger (45.7% to 55.9%, p<0.001) patients. The age gap in control declined from 14.1% (p<0.01) in 1988-1994 to 2.8% (p=0.13) in 2005-2010. Better hypertension control reflected increased percentages of older (55.6% to 77.5%) and younger (34.6% to 54.7%) patients on treatment and treated older (45.7% to 64.9%) and younger patients (56.8% to 73.4%) controlled (all p<0.001). Control to <150/<90 rose from 48.8% to 69.9% in older adults. Antihypertensive medication number and percentages on ≥3 medications increased in both age groups but more in older patients (p<0.01). BP control was higher in both age groups with ≥2 healthcare visits/year and statin therapy. Conclusions —The age gap in hypertension control to <140/<90 was virtually eliminated in 2005-2010 as clinicians intensified therapy, especially in older patients where ISH predominates controlling 70% to <150/<90. More frequent healthcare and statin therapy may improve hypertension control in all adults.Background— Joint National Committee goal blood pressure for all adults was <140/<90 mm Hg or lower from 1984 to 2013. Adults aged ≥60 years (older) have mainly isolated systolic hypertension, with major trials attaining systolic blood pressure <150 but not <140 mm Hg. The main objective was to assess changes in hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg in younger (aged <60 years) and older adults and <150/<90 mm Hg in the latter. Methods and Results— National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2010 were analyzed in adults aged ≥18 years. From 1988 to 1994 to 2005 to 2010, hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg improved in older (31.6% to 53.1%; P<0.001) and younger (45.7% to 55.9%; P<0.001) patients. The age gap in control declined from 14.1% (P<0.01) in 1988 to 1994 to 2.8% (P=0.13) in 2005 to 2010. Better hypertension control reflected increased percentages of older (55.6% to 77.5%) and younger (34.6% to 54.7%) patients on treatment and treated older (45.7% to 64.9%) and younger (56.8% to 73.4%) patients controlled (all P<0.001). Control to <150/<90 mm Hg rose from 48.8% to 69.9% in older adults. Antihypertensive medication number and percentages on ≥3 medications increased in both age groups but increased more in older patients (P<0.01). Blood pressure control was higher in both age groups with ≥2 healthcare visits per year and on statin therapy. Conclusions— The age gap in hypertension control to <140/<90 mm Hg was virtually eliminated in 2005 to 2010 as clinicians intensified therapy, especially in older patients in whom isolated systolic hypertension predominates, controlling 70% to <150/<90 mm Hg. More frequent healthcare visits and the use of statin therapy may improve hypertension control in all adults.

Low Blood Pressure Is Associated With Greater Risk for Cardiovascular Events in Treated Adults With and Without Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension

Apparent treatment‐resistant hypertension (aTRH) may confound the reported relationship between low blood pressure (BP) and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) in treated hypertensive patients. Incident CVD was assessed in treated hypertensive patients with and without aTRH (BP ≥140 and/or ≥90 mm Hg on ≥3 medications or <140/<90 mm Hg on ≥4 BP medications) at three BP levels: 1: <120 and/or <70 mm Hg and <140/<90 mm Hg; 2: 120–139/70–89 mm Hg; and 3: ≥140 and/or ≥90 mm Hg. Electronic health data were matched to emergency and hospital claims for incident CVD in 118 356 treated hypertensive patients. In adults with and without aTRH, respectively, CVD was greater in level 1 versus level 2 (multivariable hazard ratio, 1.88 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70–2.07]; 1.71 [95% CI, 1.59–1.84]), intermediate in level 1 versus level 3 (hazard ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.21–1.44]; 0.99, [95% CI, 0.92–1.07]), and lowest in level 2 versus level 3 (hazard ratio, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.65–0.76]; 0.58, [95% CI, 0.54–0.62]). Low treated BP was associated with more CVD than less stringent BP control irrespective of aTRH.

Blood Pressure Control Provides Less Cardiovascular Protection in Adults With Than Without Apparent Treatment‐Resistant Hypertension

Hypertension control may offer less protection from incident cardiovascular disease (CVDi) in adults with than without apparent treatment‐resistant hypertension (aTRH), ie, blood pressure uncontrolled while taking three or more antihypertensive medications or controlled to <140/<90 mm Hg while taking four or more antihypertensive medications. Electronic health data were matched to health claims for 2006–2012. Patients with CVDi in 2006–2007 or with untreated hypertension were excluded, leaving 118,356 treated hypertensives, including 40,690 with aTRH, and 460,599 observation years. Blood pressure and medication number were determined by all clinic visit means from 2008 to CVDi or end of study. Primary outcome was first CVDi (stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure) from hospital and emergency department claims. Controlling for age, race, sex, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and statin use, hypertension control afforded less CVDi protection in patients with aTRH (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.93) than without aTRH (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.74; P<.001). Strategies beyond hypertension control may prevent more CVDi in patients with aTRH.

The Growing Gap in Hypertension Control Between Insured and Uninsured Adults: NHANES 1988–2010

Hypertension awareness, treatment and control are lower among uninsured than insured adults. Time trends in differences and underlying modifiable factors are important for informing strategies to improve health equity. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988–1994, 1999–2004, 2005–2010 data in adults 18–64 years were analyzed to explore this opportunity. The proportion of adults with hypertension who were uninsured increased from 12.3% in 1988–1994 to 17.4% in 2005–2010. In 1988–1994, hypertension awareness, treatment and control to <140/<90 millimeters mercury (30.1% versus 26.5, p=0.27) were similar in insured and uninsured adults. By 2005–2010, the absolute gap in hypertension control between uninsured and insured adults of 21.9% (52.5% versus 30.6%, p<0.001]) was explained approximately equally by lower awareness (65.2% versus 80.7%), fewer aware adults treated (75.2% versus 88.5%,and fewer treated adults controlled (63.1% versus 73.5% [all p<0.001]). Publicly insured and uninsured adults had similar income. Yet, hypertension control was similar across time periods in publicly and privately insured adults, despite lower income and education in the former. In multivariable analysis, hypertension control in 2005–2010 was associated with visit frequency (odds ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval [2.4–4.8]), statin therapy (1.8 [1.4–2.3]) and healthcare insurance (1.6 [1.2–2.2]) but not poverty index (1.04 [0.96–1.12]). Public or private insurance linked to more frequent healthcare, greater awareness and effective treatment of hypertension, and appropriate statin use could reverse a long-term trend of growing inequity in hypertension control between insured and uninsured adults.Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control are lower among uninsured than insured adults. Time trends in differences and underlying modifiable factors are important for informing strategies to improve health equity. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2010 data in adults aged 18 to 64 years were analyzed to explore this opportunity. The proportion of adults with hypertension who were uninsured increased from 12.3% in 1988 to 1994 to 17.4% in 2005 to 2010. In 1988 to 1994, hypertension awareness, treatment, and control to <140/<90 mm Hg (30.1% versus 26.5%; P=0.27) were similar in insured and uninsured adults. By 2005 to 2010, the absolute gap in hypertension control between uninsured and insured adults of 21.9% (52.5% versus 30.6%; P<0.001) was explained approximately equally by lower awareness (65.2% versus 80.7%), fewer aware adults treated (75.2% versus 88.5%), and fewer treated adults controlled (63.1% versus 73.5%; all P<0.001). Publicly insured and uninsured adults had similar income. Yet, hypertension control was similar across time periods in publicly and privately insured adults, despite lower income and education in the former. In multivariable analysis, hypertension control in 2005 to 2010 was associated with visit frequency (odds ratio, 3.4 [95% confidence interval, 2.4–4.8]), statin therapy (1.8 [1.4–2.3]), and healthcare insurance (1.6 [1.2–2.2]) but not poverty index (1.04 [0.96–1.12]). Public or private insurance linked to more frequent healthcare, greater awareness and effective treatment of hypertension, and appropriate statin use could reverse a long-term trend of growing inequity in hypertension control between insured and uninsured adults.

Cholesterol Control Among Uninsured Adults Did Not Improve From 2001‐2004 to 2009‐2012 as Disparities With Both Publicly and Privately Insured Adults Doubled

Background Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) control is higher among insured than uninsured adults, but data on time trends and contributing factors are incomplete and important for improving health equity. Methods and Results Awareness, treatment, and control of elevated LDL‐C were compared among insured versus uninsured and publicly versus privately insured adults, aged 21 to 64 years, in National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2001 to 2004, 2005 to 2008, and 2009 to 2012 using Adult Treatment Panel‐3 criteria. Compared with insured adults, uninsured adults were younger; were more often minority; reported lower incomes, less education, and fewer healthcare encounters; and had lower awareness and treatment of elevated LDL‐C (P<0.0001). LDL‐C control was higher among insured than uninsured adults in 2001 to 2004 (mean±SEM, 21.4±1.6% versus 10.5±2.6%; P<0.01), and the gap widened by 2009 to 2012 (35.1±1.9% versus 11.3±2.2%; P<0.0001). Despite more minorities (P<0.01), greater poverty, and less education (P<0.001), publicly insured adults had more healthcare visits/year than privately insured adults (P<0.001) and similar awareness, treatment, and control of LDL‐C from 2001 to 2012. In multivariable logistic regression, significant positive predictors of cholesterol awareness, treatment, and control included more frequent health care (strongest), increasing age, private healthcare insurance versus uninsured, and hypertension. Public insurance (versus uninsured) was a significant positive predictor of LDL‐C control, whereas income <200% versus ≥200% of federal poverty was a significant negative predictor. Conclusions LDL‐C control improved similarly over time in publicly and privately insured adults but was stagnant among the uninsured. Healthcare insurance largely addresses socioeconomic barriers to effective LDL‐C management, yet poverty retains an independent adverse effect.

Impact of Implementing the 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines on Vascular Events in a Statewide Community-Based Practice Registry.

Electronic health record data were analyzed to estimate the number of statin‐eligible adults with the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol guidelines not taking statin therapy and the impact of recommended statin therapy on 10‐year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD10) events. Adults aged 21 to 80 years in an outpatient network with ≥1 clinic visit(s) from January 2011 to June 2014 with data to calculate ASCVD10 were eligible. Moderate‐intensity statin therapy was assumed to lower low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol by 30% and high‐intensity therapy was assumed to reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol by 50%. ASCVD events were assumed to decline 22% for each 39 mg/dL decline in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Among 411,768 adults, 260,434 (63.2%) were not taking statins and 103,478 (39.7%) were eligible for a statin, including 79,069 (76.4%) patients with hypertension. Estimated ASCVD10 events were 18,781 without and 13,328 with statin therapy, a 29.0% relative and 5.3% absolute risk reduction with a number needed to treat of 19. The 2013 cholesterol guidelines are a relatively efficient approach to reducing ASCVD in untreated, statin‐eligible adults who often have concomitant hypertension.