The number of people suffering from hypertension has doubled in 30 years according to a new WHO report. An update on the symptoms of this often silent disease.
- The number of people with hypertension doubled between 1990 and 2019, from 650 million to 1.3 billion.
- About 4 in 5 people with high blood pressure are not treated properly. Better care worldwide could prevent 76 million deaths by 2050.
- Hypertension causes few symptoms in its early stages. However, signs can alert you, such as headaches, fatigue or even flies in front of your eyes.
The number of people suffering from high blood pressure – blood pressure equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg – doubled between 1990 and 2019. It went from 650 million to 1.3 billion. Here is one of the worrying figures from the first report on the consequences of this heart disorder from the World Health Organization (WHO) published on September 19, 2023.
HT : 76 million deaths could be avoided by 2050
In addition to the doubling of cases of high blood pressure (HT) In thirty years, the WHO has noticed during its work that around 4 out of 5 hypertensive patients are not properly cared for. However, if countries implemented better coverage of care and treatment, it would be possible to prevent 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2050, assures the organization. This requires efforts to improve access to health care, strengthen health systems and raise awareness of the importance of prevention and treatment of hypertension.
“Simple and inexpensive treatments can effectively control hypertension, and yet it is only controlled at approximately one in five people with hypertensionlamented Dr. Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusDirector-General of WHO during the presentation of the report. “Programs to combat hypertension remain neglected, low priority and very insufficiently funded. To achieve universal health coverage, based on effective, equitable and resilient health systems and focused on primary health care, each country must strengthen the fight against hypertension”he added.
Hypertension arterial: 7 signs to spot
The WHO also noted that almost half of people with hypertension in the world are currently unaware that they have it. One of the first reasons for this phenomenon? Initially, the disease usually causes few or no symptoms, making early detection difficult. However, as Health Insurance points out, certain non-specific signs can alert:
- THE headache : they are generally located at the back of the skull slightly flaps and occur mainly in the morning. Painkillers do not calm them, but they gradually disappear after getting up;
- a fatigue more quickly;
- a unexplained nervousness;
- of the insomnia;
- of the sweats;
- of the “flies” in the eyes;
- of the regular nosebleeds.
If you experience several of these symptoms, you should consult a health professional. Early detection of hypertension allows appropriate treatment to be implemented and serious complications to be prevented.
Stroke, heart attack, kidney damage: complications of hypertension to know
High blood pressure is responsible for serious cardiovascular problems such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and even kidney damage. These complications can lead to permanent disability or even death.
“An increase in the number of hypertensive patients treated effectively to reach the levels observed in high-performing countries in this regard would prevent 76 million deaths, 120 million strokes, 79 million myocardial infarctions and 17 million cases of heart failure by 2050″indicates the WHO press release.
“Today, affordable, safe and accessible medicines and other interventions, such as reducing sodium intake, prevent most myocardial infarctions and strokes worldwide,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Diseases non-transmissible and trauma. “Treating hypertension in primary health care will save lives and save billions of dollars each year”he concluded.