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| Adults who are overweight are more likely to suffer from hypertension |
Nearly 30% of people aged 15 to 84 in Hong Kong has been found to have hypertension, according to a Population Health Survey conducted by the Department of Health between 2020 to 2022.
Worse, more than 40% of those with hypertension were
unaware of their condition until they underwent the PHS health examination
arranged by the DH.
Given these, the DH through the Centre for Health
Protection again urged the public to pay closer to their blood pressure levels
and adopt a healthy lifestyle, as World Hypertension Day was celebrated on
Sunday, May 17.
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The CDC also called on everyone to take part in the
Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme mplemented by the Primary Health Care Commission
“to achieve early prevention, early identification early treatment” of
hypertension through screening and personalised management.
World Hypertension Day is marked to increase
worldwide awareness of high blood pressure known as the “silent killer” because
many patients do not show or experience any symptoms or severe discomfort.
The occasion is also meant to promote more accurate
blood pressure measurements.
If left unchecked, uncontrolled or not properly
treated, hypertension can lead to serious health problems such as stroke, heart
attack, kidney failure or even death.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
In 2024 a total of 1,217 recorded deaths in Hong
Kong were attributed to hypertensive heart disease, 45 to hypertensive renal
disease and 28 to hypertensive heart and renal disease.
Adults are considered to be hypertensive if their
systolic blood pressure is persistently higher than or equal to 140 millimetres
of mercury (mmHg) and/or their diastolic blood pressure is persistently higher
than or equal to 90 mmHg.
Everyone aged 18 and above is urged to measure their
blood pressure at least once every two years. But some may require more
frequent blood pressure testing depending on their blood pressure levels, age,
overall cardiovascular risk profile and doctor's recommendation.
To prevent and control hypertension adults should
reduce their salt intake (no more than 5 grams per day according to World
Health recommendations), avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, and stay away from
secondhand smoke as far as possible.
They should also engage in physical activities of
moderate intensity for at least 150 to 300 minutes per week.
