One in three Brazilians does not know they have hypertension – 10/25/2023 – Balance and Health

One in three hypertensive people does not know about their condition in Brazil: the disease affects 50 million people, or around 45% of adults between 30 and 79 years old, and can affect up to 65% of elderly people over 60 years old.

Only a third of patients are treated correctly, according to data from a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Hypertension is a condition characterized by persistent elevation in blood pressure, in which the systolic (maximum) pressure is greater than 140 mmHg and the diastolic (minimum) pressure is above 90 mmHg. Its development is influenced by genetic, environmental and social factors.

“Underdiagnosis is mainly related to the fact that it is an asymptomatic disease and the population’s lack of knowledge of the risks of lack of adequate control, such as target organ damage and, consequently, a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. and death”, says cardiologist Eduardo Segalla, from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.

“Because it is a silent disease, people don’t worry”, adds cardiologist Lucélia Magalhães, president of the Arterial Hypertension Department of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology.

“Our lifestyle, with a culture that leads to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, for example, favors the expression of disease genes. It is a true epidemic, which only got worse after the pandemic”, observes the doctor.

Socioeconomic factors, such as low education and income, along with excessive salt consumption and alcohol abuse, also play a key role in this problem.

Hypertension, when left untreated, causes functional and structural changes in organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and death. In fact, it is the main modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.

Pressure control

The Brazilian Society of Cardiology recommends that blood pressure be measured routinely in consultations with any medical specialty. If the value found is lower than the famous 14×9, the patient can be evaluated annually.

The diagnosis is established when there is a change in two assessments carried out with the correct technique on at least two different occasions. It is also advisable, if possible, to complement tests outside the office such as Mapa, which monitors values ​​over 24 hours.

Once diagnosed, other tests are needed to screen for damage to target organs, such as the heart, brain and kidneys. Goals and treatment, including the use of medication, will depend on each patient’s age and risk factors. In many cases, it can be controlled simply by changing habits.

“Pressure control requires a high degree of commitment to lifestyle changes and adherence to medications,” says Segalla.

“Many people are unable to adhere to treatment, as they need to lose weight, reduce salt, adopt physical activity and sometimes take medication”, adds Magalhães. “So, they end up looking for a doctor only when a complication appears.”

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, hospitalization and office visits worldwide.

Doctors warn that carrying out routine check-ups allows health problems to be identified at an early stage, as well as assessing the risk in asymptomatic people and adopting prevention measures.

In-office assessment, with laboratory and imaging tests, also helps to assess the health of target organs.

The conduct for each person is planned based on the so-called risk score, established through a point system based on factors such as age, sex, family history, as well as the presence of conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol.