Breakthrough Treatment for Hypertension: Saving 76 Million Lives Worldwide by 2050, Reveals WHO
Hypertension, a global health concern, is identified by WHO as a leading cause of death and disability This report underlines its dangerous effects, emphasizing the urgent need for proper treatment Receive CNN Health's weekly newsletter for more updates
The World Health Organization has recently published a report that sheds light on the perilous consequences of high blood pressure. Identified as a primary risk factor for death and disability worldwide, this condition is given the spotlight in WHOs inaugural report. It also presents recommendations to combat this "silent killer."
Hypertension, which is classified as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher, impacts approximately one-third of the global adult population, states the report. This condition frequently results in various health complications, such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage.
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Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, stated that despite the availability of affordable medication regimens, only 20% of individuals with hypertension have successfully managed their condition. The WHO highlights that countries such as Canada and South Korea have implemented successful nationwide hypertension treatment programs, resulting in blood pressure control rates of over 50% among adults with hypertension.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that if the number of people effectively treated for hypertension reaches the levels seen in high-performing countries, it could prevent 76 million deaths from 2023 to 2030. The report suggests that adopting preventative measures such as consuming a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, refraining from alcohol and tobacco, and engaging in regular exercise can contribute to this. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of implementing these strategies in specific settings like schools and workplaces to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
Lowering daily sodium intake is a key strategy in preventing a significant number of heart attacks and strokes worldwide. Renowned figure Michael Bloomberg, former New York mayor and the WHO global ambassador for noncommunicable diseases and injuries, stresses the importance of incorporating affordable, safe, and accessible interventions like sodium reduction to combat these prevalent health issues.
Recommended sodium intake varies by country, but WHO suggests consuming less than 2,000 milligrams per day. According to the organization, the global average salt intake exceeds this recommendation, with an estimated 10.8 grams per day.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises a sodium intake of less than 2,300 mg per day. However, the average American consumes over 3,400 mg of sodium on a daily basis.
In 2013, all 194 member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) pledged to decrease sodium consumption by 30% by 2025. However, a recent report revealed that only a mere 5% of these countries have successfully implemented comprehensive sodium-reduction policies.
The United States received a score of 3 out of 4 in the report, demonstrating their adoption of at least one obligatory sodium policy and the provision of sodium declarations on pre-packaged food products.
Hypertension is prevalent in the US, affecting about 32% of people ages 30 to 79.
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According to the report, effectively controlling the condition could potentially prevent up to 1.2 million deaths in the US by 2040. However, for the country to reach a 50% control rate, an additional 693,000 individuals with hypertension would need to receive effective treatment.
According to Dr. Tom Frieden, president and CEO of the organization Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the CDC, over 1,000 individuals succumb to strokes and heart attacks every hour. He emphasizes that the majority of these fatalities are a result of high blood pressure and could have been avoided.
The World Health Organization (WHO) further highlights the significant financial burden hypertension and its complications impose on patients, healthcare systems, and national economies globally.
Frieden stated that effective hypertension care is affordable, easily accessible, and enhances primary healthcare. He emphasized the need to shift from a concept of being within reach to actually reaching individuals, which will necessitate the dedication and involvement of governments worldwide.
