Introduction
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a major global health problem. It is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Hypertension is also a risk factor for other chronic diseases, such as kidney disease and diabetes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released its first-ever report on the global impact of hypertension. The report found that hypertension affects 1.3 billion adults worldwide, and that only one in three adults with hypertension has adequate control of their blood pressure.
The report also found that hypertension is a major cause of death and disability. In 2019, hypertension was estimated to have caused 10.8 million deaths worldwide. This makes hypertension the leading cause of preventable death globally.
Devastating impact of hypertension
Hypertension can have a devastating impact on individuals and families. It can lead to serious health complications, including:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Blindness
- Dementia
Hypertension can also lead to disability and premature death. It can also have a significant economic impact on individuals and society as a whole.
Risk factors for hypertension
There are a number of risk factors for hypertension, including:
- Age: Hypertension is more common in older adults.
- Family history: If you have a family history of hypertension, you are more likely to develop it yourself.
- Race: Hypertension is more common in Black and Hispanic adults.
- Weight: Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for hypertension.
- Salt intake: Eating too much salt can raise blood pressure.
- Physical inactivity: Not being physically active enough can raise blood pressure.
- Smoking: Smoking can raise blood pressure and damage blood vessels.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure.
- Other medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, can increase the risk of hypertension.
Preventing hypertension
There are a number of things you can do to prevent hypertension, including:
- Eat a healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit your intake of salt, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol.
- Be physically active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, lose weight gradually and safely.
- Limit your salt intake: Aim for no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.
- Don’t smoke: If you smoke, quit.
- Limit your alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
- Manage other medical conditions: If you have any other medical conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, work with your doctor to manage them.
Treating hypertension
If you have hypertension, there are a number of things you can do to treat it, including:
- Make lifestyle changes: The first step in treating hypertension is to make lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting your salt intake, and not smoking.
- Take medication: If lifestyle changes are not enough to control your blood pressure, you may need to take medication. There are a number of different types of blood pressure medications available. Your doctor will work with you to find the best medication for you.
WHO recommendations for preventing and controlling hypertension
The WHO recommends a number of approaches to preventing and controlling hypertension, including:
- Population-wide approaches: These approaches aim to reduce the population’s exposure to risk factors for hypertension. This includes measures such as reducing salt intake in processed foods, promoting physical activity, and reducing tobacco use.
- Individual-based approaches: These approaches aim to identify and treat people with hypertension. This includes measures such as screening for hypertension, providing access to affordable and effective blood pressure medications, and providing support for people to make lifestyle changes.
Conclusion
Hypertension is a major global health problem, but it is also preventable and treatable. By making lifestyle changes and taking medication as needed, people with hypertension can reduce their risk of serious health complications and death.
Additional information
In addition to the information above, here are some other important things to know about hypertension:
- Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it often has no symptoms. This is why it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
- Hypertension can be controlled with lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. If lifestyle changes are not enough to lower blood pressure, medication may be necessary.
- There are a number of different types of blood pressure medications available. Your doctor will work with you to find the best medication for you and your individual needs.
- It is important to take your blood pressure medication as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel well. This will help to keep your blood pressure under control and reduce your risk of serious health complications.
How to get help
If you have hypertension, there are a number of resources available to help you manage your condition. Talk to your doctor about the best way to control your blood pressure. You may also want to consider joining a support group for people with hypertension.
The WHO’s call to action
The WHO is calling for governments, healthcare professionals, and individuals to take action to prevent and control hypertension. The WHO recommends a number of approaches, including:
- Population-wide approaches: These approaches aim to reduce the population’s exposure to risk factors for hypertension. This includes measures such as reducing salt intake in processed foods, promoting physical activity, and reducing tobacco use.
- Individual-based approaches: These approaches aim to identify and treat people with hypertension. This includes measures such as screening for hypertension, providing access to affordable and effective blood pressure medications, and providing support for people to make lifestyle changes.
By taking action to prevent and control hypertension, we can save millions of lives and improve the health and well-being of people around the world.