The World Hypertension Day awareness initiative was launched alongside startling statistics which showed cardiovascular disease to be the leading cause of death in Ireland - accounting for 36 per cent of total deaths in 2005.
Saturday 17th May 2008 marked World Hypertension Day, and to recognise the occasion, blood pressure stations were set up throughout Dublin to encourage people to be more proactive in achieving and maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.
The initiative was undertaken by the World Hypertension League and supported by Novartis.
High blood pressure is a medical condition whereby blood pressure is chronically elevated. It is diagnosed when someone has a consistent blood pressure reading equal to or greater than 140/90 mmHg.
A recent Irish survey revealed that half the population over 50 have high blood pressure, and just one third of these people are aware of their condition and are being treated.
Prof John Feely, Consultant Physician in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin said: “Many people are not aware they are suffering with hypertension until they are diagnosed with heart disease or a stroke.
“I urge people to familiarise themselves with common risk factors particularly high blood pressure, and to take necessary precautions to avoid the possible onset of a cardiovascular condition.
“If high blood pressure is brought down to normal, the damage to the cardiovascular system is halted and reversed, and stroke and heart attack are prevented, or at least postponed.”
Many people associate stress as the leading cause of high blood pressure when in fact there is no one specific cause. Onset can be brought about by a number of factors such as: older age, raised blood pressure in pregnancy, a family history of hypertension, a high salt or alcohol intake, obesity and a lack of regular physical activity and stress; and can result in complications such as: heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and death.
Free blood pressure screening was carried out at: College Green opposite Trinity College, North Earl Street, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, First Floor St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre. Information leaflets were distributed along with pieces of fruit to encourage the nation to enjoy a healthy diet.
Since its inception in 2004, the number of countries participating in World Hypertension Day activities has risen to 30. The event ran concurrently with Happy Heart Weekend, the Irish Heart Foundation’s national fundraising campaign.
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For further information please contact Ann-Marie Bannan at First Medical Communications on 00 353 1 607 0221 / 00 353 87 7635 191 or email abannan@firstmedical.ie
Notes to the Editor:
In patients with mild hypertension, changes to lifestyle may prevent the need for pharmacotherapy and reduce the number of drugs needed to control blood pressure in those receiving pharmacological treatment for hypertension.
However, it is estimated that 7 out of 10 people with high blood pressure do not have their condition controlled to recommended levels, and adequate control is achieved even less frequently in patients at particularly high risk, such as those with diabetes. , Most people will require two or more medications to help get their blood pressure within healthy ranges.
World Hypertension League
The WHL is devoted to the advancement of hypertension prevention and control through joint efforts of all national leagues and societies. The WHL encourages organizations around the world to communicate to the public the importance of hypertension and its serious medical complications, and to provide information on prevention, detection and treatment.
With more than 15 years of achievements, the WHL seeks to promote the exchange of information among its member organizations and offers internationally applicable methods and programs for hypertension control.
The WHL is a division of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH).
Novartis
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Its goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life and it is proud to be supporting WHL this year.
References
1 Irish Heart Foundation, Facts on Heart Disease and Stroke, Heart Disease – Ireland’s No. 1 killer
2 Central Statistics Office 2005
3 Irish Heart Foundation, Heart Health Information, Blood Pressure
4 Lansdowne Market Research, Omnibus Survey, August 2006
5 Statistical Fact Sheet: International Cardiovascular Disease Statistics. American Heart Association 2008
6 Chobanian et al. Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the prevention, detection, evaluation and treatment of blood pressure. Hypertension. 2003; 42: 1206 – 125
7 Hajjar and Kotchen. Trends in Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control in Hypertension in the United States, 1988-2000. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003; 290: 199-206
8 Ofili. Dispelling the Myth of “Aggressive”
