New Delhi: About 4 out of every 5 people having hypertension are not adequately treated, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Nearly 76 million hypertension-related deaths could be averted between now and 2050, if countries scaled up treatment coverage, the report detailing devastating impacts of hypertension said.
The improved coverage could further prevent 120 million strokes, 79 million heart attacks, and 17 million cases of heart failure in the same time period, the report said.
Affecting 1 in 3 adults worldwide, hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often referred to as a “silent killer”.
“(This is because) its symptoms are often unnoticeable until it has already caused significant damage to the heart, blood vessels, and other organs,” said Ajay Kaul, chairman of Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospital Noida.
The report said that people living with hypertension – blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher or taking medication for hypertension – doubled between 1990 and 2019, from 650 million to 1.3 billion.
The report also found that the prevalence of hypertension is increasing worldwide, and that it is now the leading cause of death globally. Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.
The WHO report recommends that countries implement national hypertension programmes to improve BP control in adults. These programmes should include the following components:
- Public education and awareness campaigns on the risks of hypertension and the importance of BP control
- Screening and early detection of hypertension
- Access to affordable and effective treatment for hypertension
- Follow-up and support for people with hypertension
The report also recommends that countries adopt policies to reduce the population’s exposure to risk factors for hypertension, such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and tobacco use.
National hypertension programmes can have a significant impact on BP control in adults. For example, a study in the United States found that a national hypertension programme reduced the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension by 25% over a 10-year period.
Countries around the world are increasingly implementing national hypertension programmes. In 2019, the WHO launched the Global Hypertension Control Initiative, which aims to reduce the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension to 25% by 2025.
The implementation of national hypertension programmes is an essential step in reducing the burden of hypertension and its associated chronic diseases. By investing in national hypertension programmes, countries can improve the health and well-being of their populations.