SA high blood pressure cases soar
New study reveals that South Africa has soaring numbers of high blood pressure cases.
NEW research reveals that South Africa has the highest rate of high blood pressure reported among people aged 50 and over for any country in the world, at any time in history. That’s according to World Health Organisation (WHO), that surveyed more than 35 000 people aged 50 and over in South Africa, China, Ghana, India, Mexico and Russia. The analysis of the data found that that 78 per cent of those who took part in South Africa tested positive for high blood pressure, or hypertension. Less than one in 10 people were effectively controlling their condition with medication.
Prof Lloyd-Sherlock of WHO’s Neuroscience Institute in Padua has warned of potentially “catastrophic” consequences for people’s health and well-being if global and national efforts to tackle the impact of high blood pressure does not change.
Prof Sherlock said: “In many countries public awareness about hypertension remains very low, and the condition is not prioritised by national governments or development agencies. Unless this changes quickly, avoidable deaths and disability resulting from hypertension are set to soar. ”
High blood pressure increases people’s risk of experiencing stroke and heart disease. The rates of high blood pressure ranged from 78 per cent in South Africa to 32 per cent in India, with consistently higher levels for women.
South Africa had the highest rates for the ‘lifestyle’ risk factors of obesity (45 per cent) and low physical activity (59 per cent). In South Africa the study involved 3 820 people. Only 38 per cent of those who tested
positive for hypertension were aware of their condition. Most people who were aware were on treatment, but it was only effective in 24 per cent of cases. Limited awareness and ineffective treatment meant that only eight per cent of people with hypertension had their condition under control, compared to a rate of 14 per cent in India, the highest of the six countries studied. For poorer people living in rural districts rates of control were particularly low.
