Study finds uncontrolled hypertension stills remains a persistent threat to global health

In a study published in The American Journal of Medicine, discovered cardiovascular disease is the leading avoidable cause of premature death and disability. Primarily heart attacks and stroke, cardiovascular disease accounts for more than 900,000 annual deaths nationally and about 10 million deaths globally. Uncontrolled hypertension or high blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke and heart attacks. Prevention and management of cardiovascular disease involves therapeutic lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise and adjunctive drug therapies of proven benefit.

Before the Hypertension Detection and Follow Up Program, a landmark study conducted in the 1970s, only about 50% of patients were aware of their high blood pressure. Of those, only 50% were actively treated. Of that group, only 50% received effective treatment. Therefore, only one-eighth of all patients were effectively treated.

This research shows that 54% are aware of their high blood pressure, 40% are actively treated and 21% are actively controlled. Many countries worldwide have developed guidelines emphasising the importance of strict blood pressure control. According to the latest recommendations from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, healthy individuals should aim for a systolic blood pressure of 130 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or lower and a diastolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg or lower.

This concludes that Making positive lifestyle changes like losing weight, being more physically active, and cutting down on salt intake has been shown to be beneficial for managing blood pressure. For those whose blood pressure is above 130/80, a combination of these lifestyle changes along with medications can safely and effectively lower blood pressure. Medications are typically started for individuals whose pressure remains above 140/90 despite these lifestyle changes.

References: Davis, B. R., et al. (2024) New Clinical Challenges In Hypertension Management. The American Journal of Medicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.07.005.