By 2035, the number of patients with hypertension will increase by half

16 May 2017

On 17 May we celebrate World Hypertension Day. It is a good time to find out more about a disease that is the single strongest risk factor for mortality and many illnesses. According to the NATPOL survey, over 9 million people in Poland aged 18 to 79 suffer from hypertension. In turn, the POLSENIOR survey has shown that the disease affects approximately one million people over the age of 80. If this trend continues, by 2030 the number of patients with hypertension may increase by half. In response to these disturbing statistics two international organisations launched the May Measurement Month (MMM17), a worldwide screening campaign. One of the campaign partners in Poland is Medicover.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for premature death. In addition, the prevalence of this disease in our country is steadily increasing. The NATPOL survey shows that, in Poland, the occurrence of hypertension among people aged 18 to 79 increased from 30 to 32 percent in a period of 10 years, to about 9 million people. In addition, the POLSENIOR survey shows that it affects about one million people over the age of 80, a total of around 10 million Poles. If this trend continues, by 2030 the number of patients with hypertension may increase by half.

How often should I test my blood pressure?

Healthy adults should measure their blood pressure at least once a year, but there are no objections to doing it more often. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, you should measure your blood pressure as often as your doctor recommends, sometimes even several times a day. Hypertension is diagnosed on the basis of at least two measurements taken during at least two consecutive visits. Diagnosis occurs if the average values are greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg for systolic pressure, and 90 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. In patients with blood pressure less than 160/100 mm Hg, the diagnosis should be confirmed by measuring at home, or by automatic blood pressure records.

Doctor Agnieszka Motyl, a family physician at Medicover.

The development of hypertension is driven by environmental factors and lifestyle habits. The most effective way to avoid or delay the development of this disease is to prevent overweight and obesity, increase physical activity, and reduce consumption of salt and alcohol.

MMM17 –The largest screening campaign continues

Preventive screening is very important in this case, so on 1 May of this year the largest international campaign, May Measurement Month, began worldwide. This is a global screening programme initiated by the International Hypertension Association and the World Hypertension League. The aim of the organisers is to screen over 25 million people worldwide during the campaign, including from 50,000 up to 250,000 Poles. The campaign will last until 31 May in over 100 countries of the world, on all continents. The key goal of the MMM17 campaign is to raise public awareness in the area of diagnosis and treatment of hypertension at local, national and global levels.

The sooner we recognize hypertension, the sooner we can treat it more effectively and eliminate the risk of serious health complications.

Doctor Agnieszka Motyl, a family physician at Medicover.

The screening will involve measuring the blood pressure and heart rate in adults of both sexes who are over 18 years of age, and whose blood pressure has not been measured within the last year. Participants will also undergo a short medical interview regarding their history of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors. All collected data will be kept anonymous, and will be sent electronically through a specially designed application (APP MMM17) to a central global database. Screened patients whose blood pressure readings will indicate hypertension will receive written medical advice with recommendations for further action, such as diet and lifestyle changes. The measurements will be available to patients at Medicover Medical Centres and to all interested at Medicover pharmacies.