Global impact of high BP: WHO Report

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released it’s first-ever report on the global impact of high blood pressure.

Highlights of the Report:

• The WHO report states that hypertension affects one in three adults worldwide. This common, deadly condition leads to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney damage and many other health problems.
• Approximately four out of every five people with hypertension are not adequately treated, but if countries can scale up coverage, 76 million deaths could be averted between 2023 and 2050.
• The number of 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.
• Nearly half of people with hypertension globally are currently unaware of their condition.
• More than three-quarters of adults with hypertension live in low- and middle-income countries.
• The world organisation states that lifestyle changes such as eating a healthier diet, quitting tobacco and being more active can help lower blood pressure.

What is Hypertension?

• Hypertension (high blood pressure) is when the pressure in your blood vessels is too high (140/90 mmHg or higher).
• It is common but can be serious if not treated.
• People with high blood pressure may not feel symptoms. The only way to know is to get your blood pressure checked.
• Blood pressure is written as two numbers;
  • The first (systolic) number represents the pressure in blood vessels when the heart contracts or beats.
  • The second (diastolic) number represents the pressure in the vessels when the heart rests between beats.
• Hypertension is diagnosed if, when it is measured on two different days, the systolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure readings on both days is ≥90 mmHg.
• Things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure include:
  • older age
  • genetics
  • being overweight or obese
  • not being physically active
  • high-salt diet
  • drinking too much alcohol

Government Initiatives

• Hypertension Control Initiative Programme: It is a large-scale hypertension intervention under the National Health Mission and has been recognised for its positive work done within the country’s existing primary healthcare system.
• Indian Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is a 5-year initiative involving the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research, State Governments, and WHO-India.
  • By December 2021, the IHCI program was implemented in 101 districts across 19 states and enrolled more than 20 lakh patients in 13,000+health facilities.
  • In the 26 initial Phase I districts, nearly one-fifth (22%) of the estimated total number of people with hypertension in the district were enrolled.