Jala News- The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its first-ever plan to fight against hypertension, a condition that has affected a staggering one in three adults worldwide. Shockingly, the number of people affected by hypertension has doubled since 1990, reaching a staggering 1.3 billion people. Contrary to common belief, three-quarters of individuals suffering from hypertension are found in low- and middle-income countries, and almost half of them are unaware of their condition.
The WHO believes that by improving the treatment for hypertension, an estimated 76 million lives could be saved by the year 2050. Hypertension is a serious health issue that can lead to heart attacks, kidney disease, and stroke, making it crucial to address on a global scale.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, has emphasized that every country possesses the necessary tools to control hypertension and can further utilize them. Being an exacerbation of high blood pressure, hypertension can be measured using a blood pressure monitor. The standard measurement for normal blood pressure is considered to be 120/80 mmHg, but if the first figure exceeds 140 or the second surpasses 90, it is classified as hypertension.
High blood pressure has various causes worldwide, such as excessive salt consumption, alcohol and tobacco use, exposure to polluted air, and a lack of physical exercise. While the remedies for hypertension are relatively simple, implementing them on a large scale can be challenging. These remedies include improving diets, providing affordable medications, and establishing effective healthcare and information systems for diagnosis and monitoring.
Tom Frieden, the former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has highlighted the overlooking of hypertension and emphasized that it is the world’s deadliest condition, deserving universal care. In response, the WHO plan calls on countries to prioritize the control of hypertension and develop comprehensive strategies to address the issue. The plan recommends standardized protocols for diagnosis and treatment, guidelines for outreach workers, and the establishment of data systems to track patients and treatments. Furthermore, it highlights successful examples from countries such as Canada and South Korea, where over half of diagnosed patients have achieved control over their hypertension.
With the launch of this groundbreaking plan, the WHO aims to tackle the global burden of hypertension and save millions of lives. It is an urgent call to action for nations and individuals alike to prioritize and combat hypertension effectively.
