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New Survey Finds Majority of Adults Don’t Understand a Key Source of High Blood Pressure
Michael Roizen, MD, cofounder of RealAge and coauthor of the YOU books, urges America to get the real inside info on high blood pressure and aim lower
San Diego, CA, June 10, 2009 -- A new survey released today shows that 3 out of 4 adults (75%) with high blood pressure are not familiar with the role of the renin system -- a key regulator of blood pressure. Yet about 9 out of 10 adults with high blood pressure (89%) believe the condition is a reason for concern and want to understand what is causing it. The Omnibus survey, sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, was conducted by Harris Interactive® and included more than 2,400 U.S. adults ages 18 and above, more than 700 of whom said they have high blood pressure.
To address this knowledge gap and help Americans get their blood pressure under control, RealAge has partnered with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to develop an online educational program about high blood pressure. Through this program, RealAge cofounder Michael Roizen, MD, known for helping Americans live healthier lives, unlocks the science and arms the public with information about the underlying causes of high blood pressure, the risks associated with the condition, and the important tools to help manage it.
"High blood pressure -- a real national health epidemic -- is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death in the United States. There are more than 850,000 cardiovascular-related deaths annually in the United States," said Roizen. "Your blood pressure is the second most important set of numbers next to, perhaps, your spouse's birthday and your anniversary. Know your numbers and aim lower -- decrease your blood pressure. Go to www.RealAge.com or speak with your physician to learn how."
Approximately 74 million adults, or about 1 in 3 (30%), in the United States have high blood pressure. Although it cannot be cured, it can be lowered to a healthier level with exercise, diet, a healthier lifestyle, and, in many cases, medication.
New content on www.RealAge.com will give the public access to educational materials about an important enzyme called renin. Renin plays a role in blood pressure rising and falling and starts a chemical process in the body that narrows blood vessels. In some people, the renin system is too active, and that can lead to high blood pressure. There are many medications that work in the renin system that can lead to an effective lowering of blood pressure.
"The results of this survey reinforce the need for education, particularly around the renin system. Targeting the renin system is a key to regulating blood pressure," Roizen continued. "Our hope is that by helping the public better understand the physiology of high blood pressure, we can motivate those with the condition to adopt a healthier lifestyle and ask their physicians about treatment options that target a key source of high blood pressure."
High Blood Pressure: A Serious Health Threat
Untreated high blood pressure increases a person's risk for heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Alarmingly, about 4 out of 10 people (41%) diagnosed with high blood pressure were not aware that kidney disease, if left untreated, is a potential consequence of high blood pressure. In fact, high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of kidney failure and causes more than 25,000 new cases of kidney failure in the United States each year.
There are a number of different types of medications available to help patients get to a healthier blood pressure level. Despite this, nearly 36% of Americans taking high blood pressure medications do not have their hypertension properly controlled. In addition, about 7 out of 10 U.S. adults who have had a first heart attack or stroke still do not have their blood pressure under control.
To get information about high blood pressure and renin, patients are encouraged to visit www.RealAge.com.
Survey Says: Additional Findings
In addition to the findings noted above, the survey also highlighted that among the more than 2,400 adults surveyed, a total of 76% said they have high blood pressure or know someone who has high blood pressure.
Among those who reported having high blood pressure, the survey revealed that:
- A majority (95%) believe it is important to speak to a healthcare provider about how to manage high blood pressure.
- Only 9% state that they have given up controlling blood pressure because they feel they can't change their behavior, so their high blood pressure can't be controlled.
- Ninety percent or more believe it is important to understand the health conditions and/or diseases that affect them and their loved ones.
- Ninety-three percent of adults know that heart attack and stroke are possible complications of high blood pressure.
- Incorrectly, more than one-third (38%) believe that diabetes is a complication of high blood pressure.
- Only 2% are very familiar with the role the renin system plays in the body, though one quarter (25%) consider themselves at least somewhat familiar.
- When given descriptions about the role the renin system plays in the body, only about one-quarter of adults (23%) were able to correctly describe it.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive's QuickQuerySM Omnibus Service on behalf of Novartis from April 22 to 24, 2009, and included 2,419 adults ages 18 and older, 717 of whom said they have high blood pressure or hypertension. This online survey is not based on a probability sample; therefore, no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology and all the survey results, please contact Meredith Wade or Christine Hanson.
About RealAge.com
RealAge.com is a healthy-lifestyle Web site that inspires its members to "Live Life to the Youngest" and to pursue their health and wellness goals by making their RealAge younger. The site offers the patented RealAge Test, the most widely used method for measuring overall health, and is the official online home of the YOU Docs, Michael Roizen, MD, and Mehmet Oz, MD, and their best-selling RealAge and YOU books. Over 27 million people have measured their RealAge by taking the RealAge Test and have received a personalized plan to make their RealAge younger. This leading healthy-lifestyle Web site also features more than 65 additional health-risk assessments, as well as health tips and information, all backed by current, valid science. RealAge.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Magazines, a division of the Hearst Corporation.
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