High-blood pressure among U.S. adults has remained stable 1999-2008, but more people are aware of hypertension and treat it, health officials say.

The report, by Sung Sug “Sarah” Yoon, Yechiam Ostchega and Tatiana Louis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, says among U.S. adults with high-blood pressure—about 30 percent of the U.S. population—there were increasing trends in the proportion who were aware of their condition among most demographic subgroups, except those ages 18-39 and Mexican-American adults.

Among U.S. adults with high blood pressure, the percentage aware of the condition increased from 69.6 percent in 1999 to 2000 to 80.6 percent in 2007 to 2008. 

High-blood pressure is defined as systolic blood pressure (the upper number) greater than or equal to 140 millimeters of mercury or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg or currently taking medication to lower high blood pressure, the researchers say.

Data was used from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys designed to monitor the health and nutritional status of the civilian, non-institutionalized U.S. population. It is one of the most common risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

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ATLANTA, Oct. 27 (UPI)