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Blood Pressure Control for Patients With Hypertension (BPC-E)

This measure assesses the percentage of members 18–85 years of age who had a diagnosis of hypertension (HTN), also known as high blood pressure, and whose most recent blood pressure (BP) reading was <140/90 mm Hg during the measurement period.

Why It Matters?

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimated that nearly half of U.S. adults (48.1%) had HTN ≥130/80 from 2017–2020.1 HTN increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, leading causes of death in the U.S.2 A person with HTN is four times more likely to die from a stroke and three times more likely to die from heart disease.3 HTN was the primary cause of approximately 3.7 million hospital outpatient visits in 2011, and about 900,000 ED visits in 2012.4 It cost the U.S. about $131B each year, averaged over 12 years, from 2002–2014.5

Controlling HTN is an important step in preventing heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions. Treatment to improve HTN includes dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as appropriate use of medications. Despite varying definitions of HTN by different organizations, evidence shows that controlling high blood pressure is beneficial, and that a lower BP target results in fewer cardiovascular events.6,7 All guidelines agree that controlling HTN will significantly reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease mortality and lead to better health outcomes.

Historical Results – National Averages

Performance results for this measure are currently unavailable.

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023. “Hypertension Prevalence in the U.S. | Million Hearts®.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 12, 2023. 
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. About Multiple Cause of Death, 1999–2020. CDC WONDER Online Database website. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. “Team-Based Care for High Blood Pressure,” https://www.cdc.gov/policy/olaris/healthtopics/highbloodpressure/tbctool.html 
  4. Benjamin, E.J. et al. 2017. “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2017 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.” Circulation 135:00–00. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000485 
  5. Kirkland, E.B., M. Heincelman, K.G. Bishu, S.O. Schumann, A. Schreiner, R.N. Axon, P.D. Mauldin, & W.P. Moran. 2018. “Trends in Healthcare Expenditures Among US Adults With Hypertension: National Estimates, 2003–2014.” Journal of the American Heart Association 7(11), e008731. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.008731 
  6. Whelton, P.K., R.M. Carey, W.S. Aronow, D.E. Casey, K.J. Collins, C.D. Himmelfarb, S.M. DePalma, et al. June 2018. “2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.” Hypertension 71, no. 6: e13–115. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065 
  7. Coles, S. L. Fisher, K. Lin, C. Lyon, A. Vosooney, and M. Bird. November 14, 2022. “Blood Pressure Targets in Adults With Hypertension: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the AAFP.” 

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