Abstract Body: Introduction: Hypertension remains a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and mortality worldwide. Ambulatory care settings serve as critical points for hypertension detection and management. This study examines the demographic, clinical, and healthcare utilization patterns of patients with hypertension in the U.S. ambulatory population.

Hypothesis: Demographic and socioeconomic factors are associated with variations in hypertension-related visits in U.S. ambulatory care settings.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized nationally representative data from the 2022 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey – Health Center Component. We included all visits with complete data on hypertension status and key covariates, applying survey weighting to ensure representativeness. The primary outcome was the prevalence of essential hypertension, identified using ICD-10 codes. Bivariate analyses were performed to assess variations across demographic groups, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Sensitivity analyses examined robustness by restricting the sample to individuals with at least two hypertension-related visits.

Results: An estimated 11.9% (95% CI: 9.6–14.6) of visits to U.S. health centers in 2022 were for essential hypertension. The highest proportion of visits occurred among individuals aged 45–64 (48.9%, 95% CI: 45.7–52.1), with females comprising 56.4% (95% CI: 54.0–58.7). White individuals accounted for the largest proportion of hypertension-related visits (41.1%, 95% CI: 31.5–51.5), although no significant racial differences were observed. Marital status was associated with hypertension-related visits, with married/domestic partners representing 39.1% (95% CI: 33.7–44.8) and divorced/widowed individuals comprising 18.9% (95% CI: 16.6–21.4), nearly double the proportion seen in non-hypertensive visits. Hypertension prevalence also varied by race and marital status, with unmarried Black individuals demonstrating the highest burden (55.1%, 95% CI: 48.2–61.9).

Conclusions: The findings show significant demographic and socioeconomic disparities in hypertension-related visits in U.S. ambulatory care settings, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve hypertension diagnosis and management among these populations. Future studies should explore underlying factors driving these disparities and assess the impact of social determinants on hypertension outcomes.