​Controlling High Blood Pressure

Measure Definition

This measure is used to assess the percentage of members 18 to 85 years of age who had a diagnosis of hypertension and whose blood pressure (BP) was adequately controlled (BP less than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg) during the measurement year.

Importance

In 2012, approximately 76.4 million people over the age of 20 have high blood pressure (hypertension) in the United States. Hypertension was the cause of 61,005 deaths in the United States in 2008. Hypertension is considered to be a “silent” condition. Fortunately, high blood pressure is easily detected and usually controllable.

Controlling high blood pressure is important since it can lead to many further complications. Complications due to high blood pressure include

•  Heart attack or stroke
•  Aneurysm
•  Heart failure
•  Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys
•  Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes
•  Metabolic syndrome
•  Trouble with memory or understanding

To see how Managed Care reported on Controlling High Blood Pressure, click here