DEERFIELD, Ill., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — A national
analysis conducted by Sperling’s BestPlaces, sponsored by Takeda
Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., identifies the nation’s
Hypertension Hot Spots, or cities that face the most challenges due
to hypertension risk factors and complications. Although
hypertension is the second-leading preventable risk factor for
death in the United States, it typically has no symptoms, and more
than half of diagnosed patients with hypertension still do not have
their blood pressures under control.
The Hypertension Hot Spots were identified as a way to educate
Americans about the high prevalence of hypertension and the risk
factors associated with it. Identification of these Hot Spots are
part of a larger Takeda-sponsored hypertension awareness program
called Commit to Control, which educates Americans about
hypertension and also challenges patients to do all they can to get
their blood pressure under control. Patients can visit www.CommitToControl.com
for tools and resources for managing hypertension, the chance to
make a virtual pledge to better control it and more information on
a traveling exhibit with free blood pressure screenings and an
animated 3-D hypertension simulator.
Criteria used to determine the Hot Spots included prevalence
rates of hypertension and hypertension prescriptions per capita, as
well as the prevalence of several lifestyle factors that may lead
to the development of hypertension. According to the analysis, the
10 metropolitan areas facing the most challenges due to
hypertension are:
- Memphis, Tenn./Miss./Ark.
- Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, Mich.
- Louisville-Jefferson County, Ky./Ind.
- Birmingham-Hoover, Ala.
- Dayton, Ohio
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.
- St. Louis, Mo./Ill.
- Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Tampa-St.
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