HYPERTENSION affects approximately one in every three Malaysian adults aged 18 and above.
However, for every two diagnosed patients, there are three more who remain undiagnosed and untreated because the condition progresses with no symptoms, leaving affected individuals at risk of a heart attack and stroke.
A recent survey by OMRON Healthcare of 504 respondents found that 85 per cent had checked their blood pressure in the past year but 42 per cent were of the opinion that their blood pressure was not serious or in need of regular monitoring.
One third or 34 per cent also felt that checking whenever they visited the doctor was sufficient.
However, given that hypertension is becoming more common among younger age groups, it is critical for Malaysians to understand the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring so they can implement lifestyle changes and treatment at an early stage, when these efforts are more likely to be effective.
This is particularly important now as hypertensive patients face poorer outcomes from Covid-19 compared to healthy individuals.
"High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer and a leading cause of heart attack and stroke. Your chances of developing it increases with age and co-existing chronic conditions. This means that, if you have diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol, you are more likely to suffer from it," says Malaysian Society of Hypertension (MSH) president, Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Ali,
If you have a family history of hypertension, you also face a 50 per cent higher chance of developing the condition – this puts you at higher risk of stroke, heart attack or kidney disease, especially if your blood pressure is not well-controlled he adds.
As rates are rising among younger adults, every adult should have his or her blood pressure monitored regularly, from the age of 18 onwards.
GET CHECKED
As almost 70 per cent of Malaysian adults are at risk of elevated blood pressure and only 37.4 per cent of treated patients achieve blood pressure control , greater awareness is key in reducing the prevalence of hypertension in the population.
In an effort to help identify those who are at increased risk, OMRON in collaboration with MSH has created a simple self-checklist to encourage respondents to have their blood pressure checked, and to see their doctors for advice on preventing or treating undiagnosed hypertension.
"At OMRON, we share a common goal with the Malaysian Society of Hypertension, which is to reduce the burden of hypertension. In fact, we have a vision called Gen 0 (Gen Zero) – this refers to a generation not defined by age, a generation that has zero heart attacks and/or strokes," says OMRON Healthcare Asia Pacific's regional marketing director, Alexis En.
For more information, visit bit.ly/HypertensionSelfCheck to take the personal self-checklist or the MSH website at www.msh.my
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