Did You Know? Hypertension & Hyperglycemia Edition
The percentage of Americans age 65 and older with diabetes remains high, at 25.9%, or 11.8 million seniors (diagnosed and undiagnosed)
Prediabetes: In 2012, 86 million Americans age 20 and older had prediabetes; this is up from 79 million in 2010
In 2005–2008, of adults with diabetes aged 40 years or older, 4.2 million (28.5%) people had diabetic retinopathy, damage to the small blood vessels in the retina that may result in loss of vision.
Diabetes is reaching epidemic numbers. India consists of the most number of diabetics, with 62 million people.
Hypertension
About 70 million American adults (29%) have high blood pressure—that’s 1 of every 3 adults.
Nearly 1 of 3 American adults has prehypertension—blood pressure numbers that are higher than normal, but not yet in the high blood pressure range.
Prevalence of Hypertension
Age Men (%) Women (%)
20-34 11.1 6.8
35-44 25.1 19.0
45-54 37.1 35.2
55-64 54.0 53.3
65-74 64.0 69.3
75 and older 66.7 78.5
All 34.1 32.7
High blood pressure increases your risk for dangerous health conditions:
● First heart attack: About 7 of every 10 people having their first heart
attack have high blood pressure.
● First stroke: About 8 of every 10 people having their first stroke have
high blood pressure.
● Chronic (long lasting) heart failure: About 7 of every 10 people with
chronic heart failure have high blood pressure.