Medical Report: More people have high blood pressure despite vast methods to control it, study finds

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — According to new research, more people have high blood pressure today than five years ago.

Back in the 1940s, scientists first reported heart disease as a leading cause of death. Seventy years ago, they discovered high blood pressure was a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. And five decades ago, research showed that controlling high blood pressure reduced the overall development of heart disease.

Despite all of this information, a study released last month found that less than five out of 10 people with high blood pressure have been receiving treatment of any kind to lower their blood pressure to 140/90.

There is no doubt that the more attention is given to the detection and treatment of high blood pressure, the better our nation’s heart health will be.

Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough .

​​KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.