New Delhi, May 16
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a silent killer that affects over 294 million people in the Southeast Asia region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday, ahead of World Hypertension Day.
World Hypertension Day is observed every year on May 17 to raise awareness of hypertension and its serious medical complications.
The theme this year is "measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer". It emphasises the importance of regular and accurate blood pressure measurements.
“Hypertension continues to be a major public health challenge -- a silent killer that affects over 294 million people across the WHO South-East Asia Region,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia.
“Modifiable behavioural risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, high salt intake, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and mental stress continue to drive its prevalence,” she added.
Wazed noted that the condition continues to be a leading contributor to premature mortality from heart attacks and strokes in SE Asia.
India alone has over 220 million individuals suffering from hypertension, with nearly one in three adults affected.
Worryingly, Wazed stated that the unmet need -- defined as the gap between those with high blood pressure and those adequately diagnosed, treated, and controlled -- remains as high as 88 per cent.