Hypertension affects individuals from all backgrounds and its consequences can be dire
In a significant revelation during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Organization (WHO) presented its inaugural report on the worldwide impact of high blood pressure, delivering a poignant message – nearly 80% of individuals suffering from hypertension are not receiving adequate treatment. This revelation, however, comes with a ray of hope. If countries can expand their healthcare coverage, an estimated 76 million lives could be saved between 2023 and 2050. In India alone, taking proactive measures to control blood pressure among half of its hypertensive population could prevent at least 4.6 million deaths by 2040. It is bewildering that preventable deaths persist due to untreated hypertension despite advancements in healthcare and infrastructure. The number of people living with hypertension has doubled from 650 million in 1990 to 1.3 billion in 2019 globally.
In India, a staggering 188.3 million people, constituting 31% of the population, grapple with this condition. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is marked by elevated blood pressure in the arteries, typically diagnosed when readings consistently reach or exceed 140/90 mm Hg. A misconception persists, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged societies, that hypertension is an ailment reserved for the affluent. However, WHO's report dispels this myth, revealing that over three-quarters of adults with hypertension live in low and middle-income countries.
Paradoxically, diagnosis and treatment rates are abysmally low in these regions, leading to a high mortality rate. While age is an uncontrollable risk factor, various modifiable factors, such as a high-salt diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to hypertension. Tobacco usage triggers 28% of cases in India, while physical inactivity accounts for 34%. Efforts to combat this pressing issue have been made, but much more needs to be done. The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aims to tackle this growing problem. WHO acknowledges that IHCI made significant strides in ensuring healthcare facilities had adequate protocol medicines and minimal stock-outs by 2020. WHO underscores the importance of prevention, early detection and effective management of hypertension as the most cost-effective healthcare interventions.
Lifestyle adjustments like physical activity, proper sleep and reduced exposure to pollution can aid in prevention. Regular check-ups are crucial for early detection and the report emphasizes five components for effective hypertension care: protocols, medication and equipment supply, patient-centered services, team-based care and information systems. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, points out that "Hypertension can be controlled effectively with simple, low-cost medication regimens and yet only about one in five people with hypertension have controlled it."
This state of affairs must change for a safer and healthier future. The revelation that hypertension, a highly manageable condition, continues to claim millions of lives worldwide in an era of medical advancements and improved healthcare access is astonishing and disheartening.
WHO's report serves as a clarion call to governments, healthcare providers and individuals alike. One of the key takeaways from the report is the need for greater awareness. Public health campaigns and educational programs must be intensified to reach every stratum of society. People must understand that hypertension affects individuals from all backgrounds and its consequences can be dire.
(The writer is a researcher. The views expressed are personal)