AHRQ: 55.1 million American adults treated for hypertension in 2008

One in four American adults (55.1 million) was treated in 2008 for hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The federal agency also reported that for hypertension treatment in 2008:

• About 29 percent of blacks were treated for hypertension in contrast to 25 percent of whites, 15 percent of Hispanics, and 20 percent of individuals of other races.
• Total expenses were $47.3 billion, with $21.3 billion spent on prescription medicines; $13 billion spent on doctors' office and outpatient visits; and another $13 billion spent for hospitalizations, emergency department visits and home health care.
• Average treatment costs were higher for Hispanic patients ($1,272) and for black patients ($1,037) and patients of other races ($1,211) in contrast to the average treatment costs for whites ($748).
• The percentage with reported treatment for hypertension was higher for adults age 65 years and older (60 percent) than those in the younger age groups, 45-64 years (32 percent) and 18-44 years (5 percent).
• Slightly more women received treatment for hypertension than men, 25 percent and 23 percent, respectively.