Table of Contents

Component Description

The Blood Pressure/Cholesterol section (variable name prefix BPQ) provides personal interview data on awareness, treatment, and control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Questions are asked about lifestyle changes made to treat and/or prevent these conditions.

Eligible Sample

Home Interview; In-person.

Eligible Sample

All participants 16 year of age and older are asked about high blood pressure.

All participants 20 year of age and older are asked about high cholesterol.

Analytic Notes

The following derived variables were created by combining data collected using questions with slightly different wording:

BPD110A = BPQ110A + BPQ111A

BPD110B = BPQ110B + BPQ111B

BPD110C = BPQ110C + BPQ111C

BPD120 = BPQ120 + BPQ121

BPD130 = BPQ130 + BPQ131

BPD140 = BPQ140 + BPQ141

To clarify this set of questions for respondents, the text was rephrased in 2002 as “we are now going to ask if {you have/SP has} made any major changes on {your/his/her} own...” In 2001, the questions read “[have you/has s/he} made any major changes on {your/his/her} own…”

Data Access:

The BPQ data are publicly available at www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPQ010 - Last blood pressure reading by doctor

Variable Name:
BPQ010
SAS Label:
Last blood pressure reading by doctor
English Text:
About how long has it been since {you/SP} last had {your/his/her} blood pressure taken by a doctor or other health professional? Was it . . .
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Less than 6 months ago, 4552 4552
2 6 months to 1 year ago, 980 5532
3 More than 1 year to 2 years ago, 547 6079
4 More than 2 years ago, or 434 6513
5 Never? 97 6610 BPQ055
7 Refused 2 6612 BPQ055
9 Don't know 21 6633
. Missing 1 6634

BPQ020 - Ever told you had high blood pressure

Variable Name:
BPQ020
SAS Label:
Ever told you had high blood pressure
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that {you/s/he} had hypertension, also called high blood pressure?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1681 1681
2 No 4843 6524 BPQ055
7 Refused 0 6524 BPQ055
9 Don't know 10 6534 BPQ055
. Missing 100 6634

BPQ030 - Told had high blood pressure - 2+ times

Variable Name:
BPQ030
SAS Label:
Told had high blood pressure - 2+ times
English Text:
{Were you/Was SP} told on 2 or more different visits that {you/s/he} had hypertension, also called high blood pressure?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1382 1382
2 No 288 1670
7 Refused 0 1670
9 Don't know 11 1681
. Missing 4953 6634

BPQ040A - Taking prescription for hypertension

Variable Name:
BPQ040A
SAS Label:
Taking prescription for hypertension
English Text:
Because of {your/SP's} (high blood pressure/hypertension), {have you/has s/he} ever been told to . . . take prescribed medicine?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1339 1339
2 No 338 1677
7 Refused 0 1677
9 Don't know 4 1681
. Missing 4953 6634

BPQ040B - Told to control weight for hypertension

Variable Name:
BPQ040B
SAS Label:
Told to control weight for hypertension
English Text:
Because of {your/SP's} (high blood pressure/hypertension), {have you/has s/he} ever been told to control {your/his/her} weight or lose weight?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 771 771
2 No 904 1675
7 Refused 0 1675
9 Don't know 6 1681
. Missing 4953 6634

BPQ040C - Told to reduce sodium for hypertension

Variable Name:
BPQ040C
SAS Label:
Told to reduce sodium for hypertension
English Text:
Because of {your/SP's} (high blood pressure/hypertension), {have you/has s/he} ever been told to cut down on salt or sodium in {your/his/her} diet?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1092 1092
2 No 580 1672
7 Refused 0 1672
9 Don't know 9 1681
. Missing 4953 6634

BPQ040D - Told to exercise more for hypertension

Variable Name:
BPQ040D
SAS Label:
Told to exercise more for hypertension
English Text:
Because of {your/SP's} (high blood pressure/hypertension), {have you/has s/he} ever been told to exercise more?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 995 995
2 No 679 1674
7 Refused 0 1674
9 Don't know 7 1681
. Missing 4953 6634

BPQ040E - Told to reduce alcohol for hypertension

Variable Name:
BPQ040E
SAS Label:
Told to reduce alcohol for hypertension
English Text:
Because of {your/SP's} (high blood pressure/hypertension), {have you/has s/he} ever been told to cut down {your/his/her} alcohol consumption?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 361 361
2 No 1315 1676
7 Refused 0 1676
9 Don't know 5 1681
. Missing 4953 6634

BPQ040F - Told to do other things for hypertension

Variable Name:
BPQ040F
SAS Label:
Told to do other things for hypertension
English Text:
Because of {your/SP's} (high blood pressure/hypertension), {have you/has s/he} ever been told to do something else?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 148 148
2 No 1527 1675
7 Refused 0 1675
9 Don't know 6 1681
. Missing 4953 6634

BPQ042 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ042
English Instructions:
BOX 1A. CHECK ITEM BPQ.042: IF 'SOMETHING ELSE' (ITEM F) IS CODED 'YES' (CODE 1), DISPLAY QUESTION BPQ.043. OTHERWISE, DO NOT DISPLAY THIS QUESTION.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPQ043A - Told to stop smoking for hypertension

Variable Name:
BPQ043A
SAS Label:
Told to stop smoking for hypertension
English Text:
What else?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Stop smoking 57 57
7 Refused 0 57
9 Don't know 0 57
. Missing 6577 6634

BPQ043B - Told to increase potassium for hyprtnsn

Variable Name:
BPQ043B
SAS Label:
Told to increase potassium for hyprtnsn
English Text:
What else?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
2 Increase potassium intake 5 5
. Missing 6629 6634

BPQ043C - Told of other diet changes for hyprtnsn

Variable Name:
BPQ043C
SAS Label:
Told of other diet changes for hyprtnsn
English Text:
What else?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
3 Other changes in diet 53 53
. Missing 6581 6634

BPQ043D - Told to do other things for hyprtnsn

Variable Name:
BPQ043D
SAS Label:
Told to do other things for hyprtnsn
English Text:
What else?
English Instructions:
CODE ALL THAT APPLY
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
4 Other 49 49
. Missing 6585 6634

BPQ045 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ045
English Instructions:
BOX 1B. CHECK ITEM BPQ.045: IF 'YES' (CODE 1) IN BPQ.040A, B, C, D, OR E, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 2.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPQ050A - Now taking prescribed medicine

Variable Name:
BPQ050A
SAS Label:
Now taking prescribed medicine
English Text:
HELP AVAILABLE (Are you/Is SP) now taking prescribed medicine
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: DISPLAY EACH ACTIVITY CODED ''YES'' (CODE 1) FROM BPQ.040. DISPLAY FOR EACH ACTIVITY SHOULD READ AS FOLLOWS: RESPONSES: YES = 1, NO = 2, REFUSED = 7, DON'T KNOW = 9.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1183 1183
2 No 156 1339
7 Refused 0 1339
9 Don't know 0 1339
. Missing 5295 6634

BPQ050B - Now controlling weight

Variable Name:
BPQ050B
SAS Label:
Now controlling weight
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now controlling (your/his/her) weight or losing weight?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 606 606
2 No 165 771
7 Refused 0 771
9 Don't know 0 771
. Missing 5863 6634

BPQ050C - Now reducing salt/sodium

Variable Name:
BPQ050C
SAS Label:
Now reducing salt/sodium
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now cutting down on salt or sodium in (your/his/her) diet?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 941 941
2 No 151 1092
7 Refused 0 1092
9 Don't know 0 1092
. Missing 5542 6634

BPQ050D - Now exercising more

Variable Name:
BPQ050D
SAS Label:
Now exercising more
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now exercising more?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 606 606
2 No 389 995
7 Refused 0 995
9 Don't know 0 995
. Missing 5639 6634

BPQ050E - Now reducing alcohol consumption

Variable Name:
BPQ050E
SAS Label:
Now reducing alcohol consumption
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now cutting down on (your/his/her) alcohol consumption?
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 284 284
2 No 77 361
7 Refused 0 361
9 Don't know 0 361
. Missing 6273 6634

BPQ055 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ055
English Instructions:
BOX 2. CHECK ITEM BPQ.055: IF SP AGE >= 20, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:
Both males and females 16 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPQ060 - Ever had blood cholesterol checked

Variable Name:
BPQ060
SAS Label:
Ever had blood cholesterol checked
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever had {your/his/her} blood cholesterol checked?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 3607 3607
2 No 1578 5185 BPD110a
7 Refused 2 5187 BPD110a
9 Don't know 223 5410 BPD110a
. Missing 1224 6634

BPQ070 - When blood cholesterol last checked

Variable Name:
BPQ070
SAS Label:
When blood cholesterol last checked
English Text:
About how long has it been since {you/SP} last had {your/his/her} blood cholesterol checked? Has it been...
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Less than 1 year ago, 2294 2294
2 1 year but less than 2 years ago, 643 2937
3 2 years but less than 5 years ago, or 399 3336
4 5 years or more? 236 3572
7 Refused 0 3572
9 Don't know 35 3607
. Missing 3027 6634

BPQ080 - Doctor told you - high cholesterol level

Variable Name:
BPQ080
SAS Label:
Doctor told you - high cholesterol level
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that {your/his/her} blood cholesterol level was high?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1336 1336
2 No 2242 3578 BPD110a
7 Refused 1 3579 BPD110a
9 Don't know 28 3607 BPD110a
. Missing 3027 6634

BPQ090A - Told to eat less fat for cholesterol

Variable Name:
BPQ090A
SAS Label:
Told to eat less fat for cholesterol
English Text:
To lower (your/his/her) blood cholesterol, (have/has) (you/SP) ever been told by a doctor or other health professional... to eat fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1069 1069
2 No 261 1330
7 Refused 0 1330
9 Don't know 6 1336
. Missing 5298 6634

BPQ090B - Told to reduce weight for cholesterol

Variable Name:
BPQ090B
SAS Label:
Told to reduce weight for cholesterol
English Text:
[To lower (your/his/her) blood cholesterol, (have/has) (you/SP) ever been told by a doctor or other health professional]... to control (your/his/her) weight or lose weight?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 686 686
2 No 646 1332
7 Refused 0 1332
9 Don't know 4 1336
. Missing 5298 6634

BPQ090C - Told to exercise more for cholesterol

Variable Name:
BPQ090C
SAS Label:
Told to exercise more for cholesterol
English Text:
[To lower (your/his/her) blood cholesterol, (have/has) (you/SP) ever been told by a doctor or other health professional]... to increase (your/his/her) physical activity or exercise?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 849 849
2 No 479 1328
7 Refused 0 1328
9 Don't know 8 1336
. Missing 5298 6634

BPQ090D - Told to take prescriptn for cholesterol

Variable Name:
BPQ090D
SAS Label:
Told to take prescriptn for cholesterol
English Text:
[To lower (your/his/her) blood cholesterol, (have/has) (you/SP) ever been told by a doctor or other health professional]... to take prescribed medicine?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 690 690
2 No 644 1334
7 Refused 0 1334
9 Don't know 2 1336
. Missing 5298 6634

BPQ095 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ095
English Instructions:
BOX 3. CHECK ITEM BPQ.095: IF 'YES' (CODE 1) TO BPQ.090A, B, C OR D, CONTINUE WITH BPQ.100. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 6.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPQ100A - Now eating fewer high fat foods

Variable Name:
BPQ100A
SAS Label:
Now eating fewer high fat foods
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now following this advice to eat fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods?
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTIONS: DISPLAY EACH ACTIVITY CODED AS 'YES' (CODE 1) IN BPQ.090 A-D.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 876 876
2 No 193 1069
7 Refused 0 1069
9 Don't know 0 1069
. Missing 5565 6634

BPQ100B - Now controlling weight

Variable Name:
BPQ100B
SAS Label:
Now controlling weight
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now following this advice to control (your/his/her) weight or lose weight?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 537 537
2 No 149 686
7 Refused 0 686
9 Don't know 0 686
. Missing 5948 6634

BPQ100C - Now increasing exercise

Variable Name:
BPQ100C
SAS Label:
Now increasing exercise
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now following this advice to increase (your/his/her) physical activity or exercise?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 582 582
2 No 267 849
7 Refused 0 849
9 Don't know 0 849
. Missing 5785 6634

BPQ100D - Now taking prescribed medicine

Variable Name:
BPQ100D
SAS Label:
Now taking prescribed medicine
English Text:
(Are you/Is SP) now following this advice to take prescribed medicine?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 554 554
2 No 136 690
7 Refused 0 690
9 Don't know 0 690
. Missing 5944 6634

BPD110A - Eating fewer high fat foods on own

Variable Name:
BPD110A
SAS Label:
Eating fewer high fat foods on own
English Text:
{Even though {you have/SP has} never had {your/his/her} blood cholesterol checked} {Even though a doctor or other health professional has never told {you/SP} that {your/his/her} blood cholesterol was high} we are now going to ask you if {you have/SP has} made any major changes on your own to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol. Specifically {do you/does s/he} eat fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods in order to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol?
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTIONS: DISPLAY "EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE NEVER HAD YOUR BLOOD CHOLESTEROL CHECKED" ONLY IF BPQ.060 IS 'NO' (CODE 2), DK (CODE 9), OR REF (CODE 7). DISPLAY "EVEN THOUGH A DOCTOR OR OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONAL HAS NEVER TOLD YOU THAT YOUR BLOOD CHOLESTEROL IS HIGH" ONLY IF BPQ.080 IS 'NO' (CODE 2), DK (CODE 9), OR REF (CODE 7).
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1276 1276
2 No 2790 4066
7 Refused 2 4068
9 Don't know 6 4074
. Missing 2560 6634

BPD110B - Controlling weight on own

Variable Name:
BPD110B
SAS Label:
Controlling weight on own
English Text:
{Even though {you have/SP has} never had {your/his/her} blood cholesterol checked} {Even though a doctor or other health professional has never told {you/SP} that {your/his/her} blood cholesterol was high} we are now going to ask you if {you have/SP has} made any major changes on your own to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol. Specifically {have you/has s/he} controlled {your/his/her} weight or lost weight in order to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 667 667
2 No 3400 4067
7 Refused 2 4069
9 Don't know 5 4074
. Missing 2560 6634

BPD110C - Increasing exercise on own

Variable Name:
BPD110C
SAS Label:
Increasing exercise on own
English Text:
{Even though {you have/SP has} never had {your/his/her} blood cholesterol checked} {Even though a doctor or other health professional has never told {you/SP} that {your/his/her} blood cholesterol was high} we are now going to ask you if {you have/SP has} made any major changes on your own to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol. Specifically{have you/has s/he} increased {your/his/her} physical activity or exercise in order to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 576 576
2 No 3493 4069
7 Refused 2 4071
9 Don't know 3 4074
. Missing 2560 6634

BPQ115 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ115
English Instructions:
BOX 6. CHECK ITEM BPQ.115: IF 'NO' (CODE 2) OR DON'T KNOW (CODE 9) IN BPQ.090A, B, OR C, CONTINUE WITH BOX 7. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPQ117 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ117
English Instructions:
BOX 7. CHECK ITEM BPQ.117: IF 'NO' (CODE 2) OR DON'T KNOW (CODE 9) IN BPQ.090A, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 8.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPD120 - Eating fewer high fat foods on own

Variable Name:
BPD120
SAS Label:
Eating fewer high fat foods on own
English Text:
Even though a doctor or other health professional has never told {you/SP} to eat fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods, we are now going to ask if {you have/he/she has} made any major changes on {your/his/her} own to lower {your/his/her} cholesterol? Specifically, {do you/does he/she} eat fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods in order to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 131 131
2 No 135 266
7 Refused 0 266
9 Don't know 1 267
. Missing 6367 6634

BPQ125 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ125
English Instructions:
BOX 8. CHECK ITEM BPQ.125: IF 'NO' (CODE 2) OR DON'T KNOW (CODE 9) IN BPQ.090B, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 9.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPD130 - Controlling weight on own

Variable Name:
BPD130
SAS Label:
Controlling weight on own
English Text:
Even though a doctor or other health professional has never told {you/SP} to control {your/his/her} weight or lose weight, we are now going to ask if {you have/he/she/has} made any major changes on {your/his/her} own to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol? Specifically, {have you/has he/she} controlled {your/his/her} weight or lost weight in order to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 215 215
2 No 434 649
7 Refused 0 649
9 Don't know 1 650
. Missing 5984 6634

BPQ135 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
BPQ135
English Instructions:
BOX 9. CHECK ITEM BPQ.135: IF 'NO' (CODE 2) OR DON'T KNOW (CODE 9) IN BPQ.090C, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS

BPD140 - Increasing exercise on own

Variable Name:
BPD140
SAS Label:
Increasing exercise on own
English Text:
Even though a doctor or other health professional has never told {you/SP} to increase {your/his/her} physical activity or exercise, we are now going to ask if {you have/he/she has} made any major changes on {your/his/her} own to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol? Specifically, {have you/has he/she} increased {your/his/her} physical activity or exercise in order to lower {your/his/her} blood cholesterol?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 124 124
2 No 362 486
7 Refused 0 486
9 Don't know 1 487
. Missing 6147 6634