Silent killer' high blood pressure still a serious challenge in control

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu. World Hypertension Day, celebrated every year on May 17, is being celebrated this year with the slogan 'Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer'. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of this day, Saima Wajed, Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organization (WHO), has urged member states to take strong and coordinated action against high blood pressure (hypertension).

According to the WHO, more than 294 million people in the South-East Asia region alone are affected by high blood pressure. High blood pressure is known as the 'silent killer'. It can lead to serious problems including heart disease and stroke.

However, the most worrying aspect is that 88 percent of people still do not have access to adequate detection, treatment, and control of high blood pressure. That is, 9 out of 10 people are deprived of essential health services for high blood pressure.

According to Regional Director Wazed, the main causes of high blood pressure are smoking, alcohol, high salt intake, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and mental stress. She urged attention to policymaking as these behavioral causes are preventable. 

Under the WHO-led SeaHearts program, member states are working to control smoking, reduce salt intake, eliminate trans fats, and increase access to primary health care. Under this, more than 46 million people are reported to have been enrolled in protocol-based treatment by the end of 2024.

WHO's three main strategies

• Efforts to reduce the risk of hypertension should be strengthened. This should include emphasis on diet, physical activity, and control of salt and trans-fats.
• The Sea Hearts program should be integrated into primary health care. It ensures the availability of certified blood pressure measuring devices, easy access to medicines, and consistency of treatment.
• Coordination among health services is necessary so that services for maternal and child health, mental health, and other noncommunicable diseases can be provided in an integrated manner.

"We must continue the momentum we have now," said Wazed. "With political will, community engagement, and innovative measures, we can reduce premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases by one-third by 2030."

The WHO South-East Asia Region includes Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, North Korea, and Timor-Leste.