Table of Contents

Component Description

The Blood Pressure/Cholesterol section (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

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.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

A trained household interviewer administrated these questions to the survey participant during the household interview. The information was recorded using a computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) system.

Analytic Notes

In 2002, 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…”

In 2003-2004, only the revised wording from 2002 was used. There was no need to combine data into a derived variable. However, in order to stay consistent with the previous data release naming conventions, the derived variable names were maintained as follows:

BPD110A = BPQ111A
BPD110B = BPQ111B
BPD110C = BPQ111C
BPD120 = BPQ121
BPD130 = BPQ131
BPD140 = BPQ141

Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/nhanes_general_guidelines.pdf

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, 4412 4412
2 6 months to 1 year ago, 868 5280
3 More than 1 year to 2 years ago, 434 5714
4 More than 2 years ago, or 411 6125
5 Never? 75 6200 BPQ055
7 Refused 0 6200 BPQ055
9 Don't know 13 6213
. Missing 0 6213

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 1801 1801
2 No 4319 6120 BPQ055
7 Refused 0 6120 BPQ055
9 Don't know 18 6138 BPQ055
. Missing 75 6213

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 1457 1457
2 No 339 1796
7 Refused 0 1796
9 Don't know 5 1801
. Missing 4412 6213

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 1452 1452
2 No 347 1799
7 Refused 0 1799
9 Don't know 2 1801
. Missing 4412 6213

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 867 867
2 No 927 1794
7 Refused 0 1794
9 Don't know 7 1801
. Missing 4412 6213

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 1157 1157
2 No 637 1794
7 Refused 0 1794
9 Don't know 7 1801
. Missing 4412 6213

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 1095 1095
2 No 701 1796
7 Refused 0 1796
9 Don't know 5 1801
. Missing 4412 6213

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 413 413
2 No 1382 1795
7 Refused 0 1795
9 Don't know 6 1801
. Missing 4412 6213

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 185 185
2 No 1613 1798
7 Refused 0 1798
9 Don't know 3 1801
. Missing 4412 6213

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 67 67
7 Refused 0 67
9 Don't know 0 67
. Missing 6146 6213

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 4 4
. Missing 6209 6213

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 59 59
. Missing 6154 6213

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 60 60
. Missing 6153 6213

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 1291 1291
2 No 160 1451
7 Refused 0 1451
9 Don't know 1 1452
. Missing 4761 6213

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 678 678
2 No 187 865
7 Refused 0 865
9 Don't know 2 867
. Missing 5346 6213

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 1008 1008
2 No 149 1157
7 Refused 0 1157
9 Don't know 0 1157
. Missing 5056 6213

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 649 649
2 No 446 1095
7 Refused 0 1095
9 Don't know 0 1095
. Missing 5118 6213

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 324 324
2 No 89 413
7 Refused 0 413
9 Don't know 0 413
. Missing 5800 6213

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 3486 3486
2 No 1378 4864 BPD110a
7 Refused 0 4864 BPD110a
9 Don't know 176 5040 BPD110a
. Missing 1173 6213

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, 2357 2357
2 1 year but less than 2 years ago, 565 2922
3 2 years but less than 5 years ago, or 348 3270
4 5 years or more? 192 3462
7 Refused 0 3462
9 Don't know 24 3486
. Missing 2727 6213

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 1510 1510
2 No 1935 3445 BPD110a
7 Refused 0 3445 BPD110a
9 Don't know 41 3486 BPD110a
. Missing 2727 6213

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 1217 1217
2 No 282 1499
7 Refused 0 1499
9 Don't know 11 1510
. Missing 4703 6213

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 826 826
2 No 679 1505
7 Refused 0 1505
9 Don't know 5 1510
. Missing 4703 6213

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 992 992
2 No 512 1504
7 Refused 0 1504
9 Don't know 6 1510
. Missing 4703 6213

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 897 897
2 No 609 1506
7 Refused 0 1506
9 Don't know 4 1510
. Missing 4703 6213

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 978 978
2 No 238 1216
7 Refused 0 1216
9 Don't know 1 1217
. Missing 4996 6213

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 636 636
2 No 190 826
7 Refused 0 826
9 Don't know 0 826
. Missing 5387 6213

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 682 682
2 No 310 992
7 Refused 0 992
9 Don't know 0 992
. Missing 5221 6213

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 725 725
2 No 172 897
7 Refused 0 897
9 Don't know 0 897
. Missing 5316 6213

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 1128 1128
2 No 2396 3524
7 Refused 0 3524
9 Don't know 6 3530
. Missing 2683 6213

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 639 639
2 No 2886 3525
7 Refused 0 3525
9 Don't know 5 3530
. Missing 2683 6213

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 598 598
2 No 2928 3526
7 Refused 0 3526
9 Don't know 4 3530
. Missing 2683 6213

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 153 153
2 No 140 293
7 Refused 0 293
9 Don't know 0 293
. Missing 5920 6213

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 233 233
2 No 450 683
7 Refused 0 683
9 Don't know 1 684
. Missing 5529 6213

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 131 131
2 No 387 518
7 Refused 0 518
9 Don't know 0 518
. Missing 5695 6213