Changes in hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates. 20-year trend data.

In the last 2 decades, public knowledge, awareness, treatment, and control of high blood pressure have changed remarkably. These changes are real, and have been associated with the activities of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. Without a control group it is always difficult to attribute causality; however, the improving levels are remarkably large and consistent, and they have occurred concurrently with the decline in age-adjusted stroke mortality.