One in four deaths from hypertension

World Hypertension Day: High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of death

05/17/2013

According to the German Hypertension League, about one quarter of people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) and in Germany, about 35 million people are affected. Every fourth death (26 percent) in this country go back to hypertension. Therefore, today's world hypertension day provide „numerous self-help groups, hypertension centers, clinics, medical practices and pharmacies information events“ to clarify the causes, sequelae and prevention options for hypertension, according to the announcement of the German Hypertension League.

Citing data from the 1992 Harvard School of Public Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank „Global Burden of Disease Study“ (GBDS), the German Hypertension League reports that 13 percent of deaths worldwide are caused by hypertension. Thus, hypertension is one of the most common risk factors for preventable deaths besides smoking. In the context of this year's World Hypertension Day, special attention is paid to the frequently underestimated secondary disease of high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, according to the German Hypertension League. „People who suffer from atrial fibrillation have an up to five-fold increased risk of stroke“, so the urgent warning of the experts.

Atrial fibrillation as a consequence of hypertension
High blood pressure can bring a variety of health problems, of which the atrial fibrillation is one of the least known and equally serious. „Prevention and timely treatment of atrial fibrillation are important measures, especially with regard to stroke prophylaxis“, so the message of the German high pressure league. According to the experts, the smallest blood clots form during the flare phases in the atria, which can later partially or completely occlude individual blood vessels. If the arteries in the brain are affected, this leads to a stroke. As is known, „that people with high blood pressure are up to 42 percent more likely to have this cardiac arrhythmia than people with normal blood pressure“, they have to be particularly careful here, according to the announcement of the German high pressure league. Also „Everybody should know their blood pressure values ​​and from time to time carry out a blood pressure measurement“, recommend the experts.

Successfully avoid high blood pressure
The high blood pressure can be, according to the German high pressure league often already „a change in lifestyle habits, a healthy diet, more exercise, normalization of body weight, no smoking and reduced alcohol consumption“, successfully eliminate. Nevertheless, stay „In many cases, a drug treatment necessary.“ In the sense of stroke prevention, blood pressure control and, where appropriate, reduction of the disease are of particular importance here. To convey this message to a broader public, this year's World Hypertension Day is themed: „Healthy Blood Pressure - Healthy Heartbeat“, so the message of the German high pressure league. (Fp)

Picture: hamma