Does socioeconomic status affect blood pressure goal achievement?

Hypertension is a major cause of disease burden in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups in developing and developed regions and countries. Differences in blood pressure likely begin early in life and reflect a complex relationship of biologic, genetic, social, and environmental interactions. The relationship between socioeconomic status and hypertension is complex and difficult to measure. Instituting lifestyle changes for the primary prevention and treatment of hypertension among the general population would decrease prevalence, improve blood pressure control, and be effective in eliminating many socioeconomic differences in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Health care providers can potentially impact blood pressure control by incorporating knowledge of socioeconomic factors and mechanisms in care delivery. This review highlights socioeconomic status in the prevalence and incidence of hypertension and identifies contributing factors associated with blood pressure control.