Using prescription medicines to treat untreated and undertreated high blood pressure could prevent thousands of heart attacks, strokes and deaths in every U.S. state, according to a recently released study. “Reducing the Human Impact of High Blood Pressure,” examined the annual numbers of strokes, heart attacks and deaths, and nursing home placements in all 50 U.S. states that could be avoided if seniors in those areas actively treated their high blood pressure. The study found that in the senior-heavy states of California and Florida, where more than half of seniors suffer from high blood pressure, active treatment could prevent 26,534 deaths and 19,931 deaths, respectively.

In California, active treatment could also prevent 39,941 strokes, 36,152 heart attacks and 15,976 skilled nursing facility (SNF) placements. In Florida, it could prevent 30,026 strokes, 27,179 heart attacks and 12,010 SNF placements. Active treatment, in the study, was defined as having the proper diet, exercising, implementing lifestyle changes and taking prescribed medications.

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