Roundup: Majority of U.S. Adults with Hypertension Failing to Meet Healthy Blood Pressure Goals; and More News

New Data: Nearly 80% of U.S. Adults With Hypertension Fail to Meet Healthy Blood Pressure Readings

Nearly 80 percent of U.S. adults with hypertension have blood pressure readings that are higher than medical goals, according to data just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Despite decades of public health warnings, blood pressure control in the U.S. has hit a standstill, even as related deaths have nearly doubled over the last 20 years.

Understanding the Numbers

In 2025, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) set a clear target for "healthy" blood pressure: less than 130/80 mm Hg.

To understand your reading, remember:

• Systolic (Top number): The pressure in your arteries when your heart beats.
• Diastolic (Bottom number): The pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats.
• Hypertension: The medical term for high blood pressure.

The study found that 79 percent of people with hypertension were consistently staying above that 130/80 threshold.

Who Is at Risk?

The data highlights a massive gap in treatment. Approximately 61 percent of people with high blood pressure are not taking any medication to manage it. These individuals tend to be younger (average age 49) and are less likely to have health insurance or a regular doctor.

However, having insurance isn't a significant factor. Surprisingly, 80 percent of those with uncontrolled blood pressure did have insurance and a regular place for care, suggesting that many patients and doctors may not be treating the condition aggressively enough.

Most Are Close to Meeting Their Goal

There is a silver lining: of those not taking medication, 65 percent are within 10 points of their goal.

"Many could potentially achieve blood pressure control with the initiation of medication and simple lifestyle modifications," the authors noted.

For these individuals, small changes—like reducing salt intake, increasing physical activity, or starting a low-dose daily pill—could be the difference between a healthy heart and a future stroke or heart attack.

Why It Matters

Uncontrolled hypertension is the leading driver of:

• Cardiovascular Disease: Heart attacks and heart failure.
• Chronic Kidney Disease: Damage to the filters in your kidneys.
• Diabetes Complications: High blood pressure and diabetes often work together to damage blood vessels faster.

Related article: New Blood Pressure Guidelines Emphasize Earlier Lifestyle Changes for Stage 1

How Lifetime Alcohol Consumption Affects Colorectal Cancer Risk

A new study examined the link between lifetime alcohol consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer in the United States.

A lifetime of drinking alcohol can raise the risk of developing CRC and its precursor, colorectal adenomas (non-cancerous growths in the colon or rectum), by as much as 25 percent, according to the research, conducted as part of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. The results were published in the American Cancer Society's peer-reviewed journal Cancer.

Key Findings

1. Heavy Drinking Increases CRC Risk
   Individuals who consistently consumed 14 or more alcoholic drinks per week throughout their lives were found to have a 25 percent higher risk of developing CRC compared to those who drank less than one drink per week. The risk was particularly pronounced for rectal cancer, with heavy drinkers nearly doubling their risk.
   
   
2. Moderate Drinking May Lower Risk
   Moderate drinkers—those consuming 7 to 14 drinks per week—had a lower risk of CRC, especially in the distal colon (the part of the colon closest to the rectum). This group showed a 21 percent reduced risk compared to light drinkers.
   
   
3. Quitting Alcohol Reduces Adenoma Risk
   Former drinkers had a significantly lower risk of developing non-advanced adenomas compared to current drinkers. Adenomas are often considered a warning sign for CRC, so reducing alcohol intake may help prevent these growths.
   
   
4. Consistent Heavy Drinking is Most Harmful
   The study found that individuals who maintained heavy drinking habits throughout adulthood had a 91 percent higher risk of CRC compared to consistent light drinkers.

Why Does Alcohol Affect CRC Risk?

Alcohol consumption produces acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that can damage DNA and promote cancer development. It also disrupts folate absorption, a nutrient essential for DNA repair, and may alter the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and other harmful effects.

While moderate drinking might reduce inflammation in some cases, heavy and consistent alcohol use overwhelms the body’s defenses, increasing cancer risk.

Takeaways from the Study

The findings emphasize the importance of moderation and lifestyle changes. While occasional or moderate drinking may not significantly increase CRC risk—and might even lower it in some cases—consistent heavy drinking poses a clear danger. For those who drink heavily, reducing or quitting alcohol could lower the risk of both adenomas and CRC.

Colorectal cancer is largely preventable through lifestyle choices, including alcohol moderation, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and routine screenings. If you’re concerned about your alcohol consumption or CRC risk, consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Staying Up Late: ‘Night Owls’ Carry Higher Risks of Poor Heart Health, Study Finds

Are you a night owl? New research suggests that a natural tendency to stay up late could be linked to a higher risk of poor cardiovascular health, especially for women.

A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that adults who are more active in the evenings may face greater heart-related challenges than their early-bird counterparts.

Researchers analyzed health data from more than 300,000 middle-aged and older adults. They categorized participants based on their natural sleep-wake preference, or chronotype: "definitely morning people," "definitely evening people," or an "intermediate" group.

The study measured cardiovascular health using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 metrics. These include key health factors and behaviors like diet, physical activity, smoking status, sleep, body weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.

What the Study Found

The findings showed a clear trend. Compared to those in the intermediate group, self-described "evening people" had a 79 percent higher likelihood of having an overall poor cardiovascular health score. Over a 14-year follow-up period, night owls also had a 16 percent higher risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. In contrast, "morning people" had a 5 percent lower prevalence of poor heart health scores.

So, why the difference? The researchers suggest it isn't simply about what time you go to bed. The increased risk appears to be strongly connected to lifestyle habits. The study found that evening types were more likely to engage in behaviors that negatively impact heart health, such as smoking, having a poor diet, and not getting enough quality sleep.

People who stay up late often experience a mismatch between their internal body clock and their daily schedule, according to the study's lead author, Sina Kianersi, Ph.D.,  research fellow in the division of sleep and circadian disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Stay Up Late and Unhealthy Habits

This "circadian misalignment" can contribute to unhealthy habits that directly affect cardiovascular wellness. “ ‘Evening people’ may be more likely to have behaviors that can affect cardiovascular health, such as poorer diet quality, smoking and inadequate or irregular sleep,” states Dr. Kianersi in a news release.

However, this doesn't mean night owls are destined for poor health. Experts emphasize that the behaviors contributing to these risks are modifiable. By focusing on improving lifestyle choices, those who prefer the evening can take powerful steps to protect their heart.

Key actions include quitting smoking, improving sleep habits, and adopting a healthier diet. Understanding your natural chronotype can be the first step toward making targeted changes for a healthier life.