Blood pressure cases to top 1billion
Published August 17th, 2007
High blood pressure is out of control around the world, with the number of sufferers expected to exceed a billion within 20 years, experts warn.
One in four adults already has the condition, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and death.
But unhealthy modern lifestyles mean the toll could hit 1.56 billion by 2025, up from 972 million in 2000, The Lancet medical journal reports.
The biggest problem is poor compliance with treatment, an editorial claims.
Despite very effective and cost-effective treatments, target blood pressure levels are very rarely reached, even in countries where cost of medication is not an issue, says the editorial.
“Many patients still believe that hypertension is a disease that can be cured, and stop or reduce medication when blood pressure levels fall.
“Physicians need to convey the message that hypertension is the first, and easily measurable, irreversible sign that many organs in the body are under attack.
“Perhaps this message will make people think more carefully about the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle and give preventative measures a real chance,” it says.
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