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Fatal Over one billion people worldwide have high blood pressure
According to a new study, the number of people with hypertension has nearly doubled in the past 40 years worldwide. Thus, in 2015, over one billion people had high blood pressure. The problem has since shifted from the rich to the poorer countries of the world.
A global problem
Untreated high blood pressure is one of the biggest health risks at all. Hypertension is the number one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and therefore responsible for many deaths from heart attack or stroke. In the past, people were affected by affluent industrial nations, and today high blood pressure is a global problem. This is also shown by the results of a new study published in the journal "The Lancet".
According to a recent study, the number of people with hypertension has almost doubled worldwide over the past 40 years. The problem has shifted from rich to poorer countries. (Image: Photographee.eu/fotolia.com) Growing proportion of older people
As reported by a team of international scientists, the number of people with hypertension worldwide has almost doubled in the past 40 years. Thus, in 2015, more than 1.1 billion people had high blood pressure. According to the researchers, the increase is partly explained by population growth, but also by the growing proportion of older people.
Shift away from rich to poorer countries
Noticeable are regional shifts: "Over the past four decades, the highest blood pressure levels in the world have shifted from high-income countries to low- and middle-income countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, while blood pressure has been consistently high in Central and Eastern Europe "Write the experts in the" Lancet ".
"The global goal of reducing the spread of hypertension by 25 percent by 2025 should not be achieved in these regions," it said.
In the industrialized nations of the western world and the Asia-Pacific region, the average blood pressure values during this period have dropped significantly - in Germany, Australia, Sweden and Japan, for example. The proportion of high blood pressure patients in the population has also fallen the most in the rich countries.
No prosperity disease anymore
To reach their conclusions, scientists led by Majid Ezzati at Imperial College London, UK, evaluated 1,479 post-mortem studies from 1975 to 2015, which included hypertension data.
It also showed that in most countries of the world men had higher blood pressure in 2015 than women.
"High blood pressure is no longer a disease of affluence - as it was in 1975 - but today is a serious poverty-related issue," said Ezzati, according to a news agency dpa. However, researchers are not sure why blood pressure has increased, especially in poorer countries.
It is believed that better overall health and better nutrition with more fruits and vegetables in the richer countries at least explains the trend. In addition, hypertension is more often recognized and treated with medication.
Poor diet in childhood
Childhood malnutrition can play an important role in poorer countries: "There is growing evidence that a poor diet in the early years increases the risk of high blood pressure in later life, and this may explain why the problem is growing poorer countries, "said Ezzati loud dpa.
Previous studies on the long-term consequences of malnutrition have also shown that adults who were starving in their childhood are more susceptible to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus in later life under abundant conditions.
Risk factor for deadly diseases
High blood pressure is not only a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, but other vital organs such as kidneys and eyes can be damaged in permanently elevated blood pressure.
In 2010 alone, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), high blood pressure caused approximately 9.4 million deaths worldwide.
In addition to obesity or obesity, too little exercise, an unhealthy, too salty diet, increased alcohol consumption and stress are considered risk factors. In addition, blood pressure tends to increase with age.
Lower blood pressure naturally
According to the German High Pressure League (DHL), about 20 to 30 million people in this country suffer from hypertension. Although almost every third German citizen is affected, many suspect nothing of their high blood pressure And although it is better to diagnose and treat early.
Although sufferers often come quickly to medicines, but to lower the blood pressure you do not necessarily resort to medication. In addition to regular exercise here is especially a healthy, varied diet. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity are to be avoided.
In addition, relaxation exercises such as yoga or autogenic training for stress relief can be very effective and positively influence high blood pressure values. Some home remedies for hypertension, such as Kneipp's applications, can provide good support.
Falling numbers in Germany
According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), blood pressure has dropped significantly in Germany in recent years, especially among women. One reason for this was that the treatment limit was lowered - from 160 mmHG to 140 mmHg systolic blood pressure. This value indicates the maximum pressure as the heart contracts and forces blood into the circulation.
Meanwhile, however, the voices are growing, suggesting that 120 instead of 140 should be the new blood pressure target.
Presumably, an increasingly healthier lifestyle has contributed to the decline in numbers. (Ad)