Under Pressure – Hypertension and the Heart

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure,1 is a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases.2 About 1 in 2 adults in the US with hypertension may be uncontrolled despite taking 2 or more antihypertensives.3* If left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and death.4 Reducing blood pressure is critical to drive down the risks of these cardiovascular conditions.5

Deborah’s and Jacqueline’s stories highlight how challenging it can be to manage uncontrolled hypertension and why both are now motivated to help others better understand the condition.

Deborah's Story

Deborah has been living with hypertension that has been challenging to control for decades, a condition she didn’t initially expect to be lifelong. Her perspective quickly changed as she required regular monitoring, medication, and continued adjustments to her treatment.

Despite taking multiple medications, Deborah’s hypertension has remained uncontrolled, and she has since learned how unpredictable managing hypertension can be. She has experienced serious hypertensive crises that required hospitalization, while at other times, the condition has been harder for her to recognize. “Sometimes I’m surprised my blood pressure is high because I’m feeling fine and took my medications,” recalled Deborah.

In addition to hypertension, Deborah also lives with CKD and anemia. “I did not know that all three of these conditions are interconnected. I learned more about how these conditions affect one another in the last five years.” Through her experiences, Deborah has come to understand just how demanding and unpredictable hypertension can be. She now shares her story in hopes of helping others better understand the challenges of living with blood pressure that is uncontrolled.

Jacqueline’s Story

Jacqueline, a patient with a history of stroke, has struggled to control her hypertension and is now dedicated to educating others on the importance of blood pressure management and heart health, which she did not learn until after her diagnosis.

Despite hypertension running in her family, Jacqueline never thought much about her own risk. “To be honest, I thought it was some type of geriatric medical problem that you get in very old age,” said Jacqueline. “I just figured I did not have to worry about it that much. So, when I was diagnosed, I was surprised.”

Jacqueline’s condition worsened, and her uncontrolled hypertension led to heart failure and a ministroke. “This was really a major wake-up call for me,” recalled Jacqueline. “I was really scared, but it made me realize that I had to take my healthcare more seriously, to be more proactive and work closely with my cardiologist to get things under control.”

Unmet Needs of Hypertension Patients

The first step for those at heightened risk of hypertension is to monitor their blood pressure in partnership with their primary care physician or specialist. After a diagnosis, the clinician will recommend a personalized treatment plan to best meet the needs of the patient.

Jacqueline’s and Deborah's Advice to Others

When asked what Jacqueline wished she had known earlier in her journey with hypertension that is hard to control, she offered this advice to others:

  • Educate yourself: “Learn more about the risks of hypertension and family medical history. For me, there is nothing worse than fear of the unknown. I knew I had to get educated about the warning signs of associated conditions and take charge of my health.” – Jacqueline
  • Be honest with your provider: “Hypertension affects everyone differently. Being open with my doctor about my lifestyle has helped me continue to evolve my treatment plans for managing my blood pressure.” – Deborah
  • Seek support: “What has really worked for me is reaching out and connecting with others in support and patient advocacy groups. It’s a big part of my self-care routine. You’ll learn a lot while helping yourself and others.” – Jacqueline
  • Know the signs: “Sometimes I can tell when my blood pressure is elevated because I feel hyper, almost like I have extra energy. I also often see elevated blood pressure levels in the early mornings when I wake up. Learning to recognize how my body tells me my blood pressure is high has been critically important.” – Deborah
  • Research clinical trials: “When I was diagnosed with hypertension, I did not know what a clinical trial was. Clinical trial research, including the representation of diverse patient groups, is critical to improving care and may offer innovative treatment options for those with uncontrolled blood pressure.” – Jacqueline

We invite you to tell your story and join the AstraZeneca US Patient Voices Network, a nationwide AstraZeneca program for patients and caregivers. Sharing your unique experience could help educate and inspire others.

Share Your Story

*Based on an analysis of data from the 2009-2014 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Analysis was restricted to participants aged ≥20 years who self-reported taking antihypertensive medication, had >1 class of antihypertensive medication identified during a pill bottle review conducted as part of the NHANES examination, and had BP measurements obtained during their study exam (N=4158). The primary purpose of the study was to compare the prevalence and characteristics of adults with aTRH using the definitions in the 2018 versus the 2008 AHA Scientific Statement. The data used are based on the definition of uncontrolled HTN (defined as BP ≥130/80 mm Hg) from the 2018 AHA Scientific Statement.

References:

  1. Million Hearts. Estimated hypertension prevalence, treatment, and control among US adults. May 12, 2023. Million Hearts website. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/data- reports/hypertension-prevalence.html
  2. Jones DW, Ferdinand KC, Taler SJ, et al; Peer Review Committee Members. 2025 AHA/ACC/AANP/AAPA/ABC/ACCP/ACPM/AGS/AMA/ASPC/NMA/PCNA/SGIM 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 Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2025;86(18):1567-1678.
  3. Carey RM, Sakhuja S, Calhoun DA, Whelton PK, Muntner P. Prevalence of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension in the United States [including online supplement]. Hypertension. 2019;73(2):424-431.
  4. McCormack T, Suárez Fernández C, Bhalla V, et al. Risk of cardiorenal and metabolic outcomes in inadequately controlled hypertension: insights from the EnligHTN study. Poster presented at: European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress; August 29–September 1, 2025; Madrid, Spain.
  5. Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2016;387(10022):957-967.