High blood pressure affects about 45% of U.S. adults. In the 1970s, only about 50% of patients were aware of their hypertension. Today, 54% are aware of their high blood pressure, 40% are actively treated and 21% are actively controlled. As such, researchers alert health care providers that the old 'silent killer' is alive and well. Healthy individuals should have a systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or less, and a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or less.
