One In 3 Adults Has High Blood Pressure —WHO

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 BY EROMOSELE EBHOMELE

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that one out of every three adults worldwide has high blood pressure and  that this ailment has become a cause for concern because of the harm it is creating in societies around the world.

The WHO said as a result of this, it is dedicating this year to reducing the ailment and its impact on countries around the world.

It further said part of its strategies to combat the ailment already taking its toll on the development of countries globally, is the adoption of high blood pressure as the theme for the 2013 World Health Day which will be celebrated on 7 April to mark the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.

Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights a priority area of public health concern in the world, but this year would focus on high blood pressure, the organisation said on its website.

The international health organisation which is a key agency of the United Nations said high blood pressure, also known as raised blood pressure or hypertension in some cases, is of current concern as it increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure.

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“If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregularities of the heartbeat and heart failure. The risk of developing these complications is higher in the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes.

“One in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. The proportion increases with age, from 1 in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to 5 in 10 people in their 50s.

“Prevalence of high blood pressure is highest in some low-income countries in Africa, with over 40 per cent of adults in many African countries thought to be affected,” it said.

WHO further stated that the ailment is both preventable and treatable, adding that in some developed countries, prevention and treatment of the condition, together with other cardiovascular risk factors, has brought about a reduction in deaths from heart disease.

It said the risk of developing high blood pressure can be reduced by reducing salt intake; eating a balanced diet; avoiding harmful use of alcohol; taking regular physical activity; maintaining a healthy body weight; and avoiding tobacco use.

It said the specific objectives of the campaign for this year includes to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of the ailment; to provide information on how to prevent high blood pressure and related complications; to encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals; to encourage self-care to prevent high blood pressure; to make blood pressure measurement affordable to all; and to incite national and local authorities to create enabling environments for healthy behaviour.

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