New Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report on Preventing and Controlling Hypertension

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Learn more about what you can do to prevent and control high blood pressure.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, "A Population-Based Policy and Systems Change Approach to Prevent and Control Hypertension," confirms that hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and is the most common primary diagnosis in America.  

Clinical and public health research has led to the development and use of safe and cost-effective interventions to prevent, treat, and control high blood pressure. Yet still, millions of Americans continue to develop, live with, and die from high blood pressure. The IOM recommendations for addressing high blood pressure include a population-based policy and systems change approach that can be applied at the federal, state, and local level.

The report also confirms that high blood pressure is highly preventable and manageable through lifestyle changes on an individual level as well. High blood pressure goes hand in hand with other risk factors for heart disease such as poor diet, including high sodium intake, physical inactivity, and obesity, which appear to be on the increase. For more information about what you can do to prevent and control high blood pressure, visit our website at http://webdev.nccd.cdc.gov/bloodpressure2/index.htm.

More Information

• IOM Report (available for purchase)
• CDC fact sheet on high blood pressure
• High blood pressure risk factors
• High blood pressure prevention