WHL Principle: Advancement of hypertension prevention and control through joint efforts of nation leagues and societies.

Hypertension is a worldwide epidemic affecting both developed and developing countries. Estimates indicate there may be more than 1.5 billion people with hypertension. In many countries more than 50% of the people over 60 years of age have hypertension. Only one-third of hypertension are treated and approximately 12% of those treated are controlled.

The purpose if World Hypertension Day (WHD) is to communicate to the lay public the importance of hypertension and its serious medical complication, and to provide information on prevention, detection and treatment. To do this requires cooperation of health care professional, media, volunteer organization and government in each country.

Detection of hypertension is the first step in controlling hypertension. This goal can be accomplished by organizing blood pressure measurement activities in various locations, such as shopping centers, schools, churches, mosques and synagogues. Each WHL member organization should establish such a program in their country and health professional should cooperate with blood pressure detection program in their community.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCE OF UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION?

Hypertension can cause strokes, heart attacks, heart and kidney failure. It is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for 40% of all death in the United Sates, and even more than 40% in some countries. The relationship between blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease is continuous and independent of other risk factors. The higher the blood pressure the greater the risk of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease.This joint public and private sector initiative is the first ever nationwide survey and correlation study on lifestyle habits, risk factors and lifestyle diseases in the Philippines.

KNOW YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is called Hypertension. Hypertension does not mean emotional tension. What it does mean is that the pressure, or tension, in your blood vessels is too high.

High blood pressure is a silent killer. There are no symptoms until the pressure is too high, or it cause damage to vital organs, like the heart or kidneys. Everyone needs some blood pressure in their arteries. When your heart beats it pumps blood nourishment to the tissues. The force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is called the blood pressure. The systolic pressure occurs after the heartbeat and is the higher reading. The lower pressure, or diastolic pressure, is the pressure in the arteries in-between heartbeats. If the arteries or pipes become narrowed or clogged, then the heart has to pump hard to deliver the blood to the tissues, and the pressure in the arteries goes up. If the pressure in your arteries is 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or more, and remains at that level, you have high blood pressure (hypertension).

GENEREL RULES FOR BLOODPRESSURE MEASUREMENT

• Rest for 5 minutes before measurement

• Refrain from smoking or ingesting caffeine for 30 minutes prior to measurement

• Be seated with feet flat on the floor, back and arm supported, and arm at heart level

• Use appropriate sized cuff

• Use recently validated device

• An average of two or more readings should be taken, at least two minutes apart

Under special circumstances measuring blood pressure in standing and supine positions may be indicated.

CAN BE HYPERTENSION BE PREVENTED?

Hypertension can be prevented by implementing the following:

• Weight reduction
• Eat a low salt diet
• Minimize alcohol intake
• Regular exercise

If these lifestyle changes do not control or prevent hypertension, then drug therapy is necessary. Frequently, using more than one drug is necessary. Control of hypertension can have dramatic health benefits. It can reduce heart attacks by approximately 25% stroke by 35% and heart failure by 50%.

Control of other risk factors that interact with blood pressure is also important. Smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes accelerate the damage by high blood pressure on the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, it is important to manage and control all of these factors.

Remember that high blood pressure may cause no symptoms. You need to have your blood pressure measure at least once per year. Control of high blood pressure can add years to a happy life!

For further information see WHL website at www.worldhypertensionleague.org