Many people with high blood pressure in developing countries remain undiagnosed, and so miss out on treatment that could significantly reduce their risk of death and disability from heart disease and stroke
Activities across Iraq were held today marking World Health Day, celebrated annually on 7 April, amid calls for intensified efforts to prevent and control high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, among the Iraqi population. the Ministry of Health led activities for the Day and emphasized the importance of this major public health problem which affects about one billion people worlwide, including four million Iraqis.
The Minister of Health Dr Majeed Hamad called for increased efforts to address behavioural and lifestyle-associated risk factors of high blood pressure among the Iraqi population. “As high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other serious health complications and yet is both preventable and treatable; we should promote healthy lifestyles,” said Dr Majeed Hamad.
Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted the need for changes in lifestyles to prevent and control high blood pressure. He urged the adoption and promotion of affordable and effective interventions, such as eating a healthy balanced diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, reducing salt intake and avoiding fats and sugar.
In Iraq, the prevalence of high blood pressure among the adult population (25 years and above) and the use of medication to control it, was found to be 40% in 2008. Prevalence is higher among males than females. About 50% of total mortality in Iraq is caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major contributor to NCDs, a global epidemic which necessitates greater and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders.
Promoting the importance of checking one's blood pressure, WHO is calling on all adults around the world to have their blood pressure measured considering it the first step in prevention and control. “We need a three-pronged approach to deal with the challenge of high blood pressure among people in Iraq: 1) promoting awareness of healthy lifestyles, which is both simple and cost effective; 2) detecting high blood pressure early through the network of primary health care centres across the country as 92% of these centres provide comprehensive care; and 3) encouraging access to, and utilization of, first line subsidized medicine available at public sector clinics,” said Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative for Iraq.
Experts say high blood pressure can be largely prevented by adopting some lifestyle modifications. According to Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, prevalence can be reduced by:
- maintaining a healthy body weight
- consuming a health diet (fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins)
- avoiding excessive use of salt
- becoming physically active
- avoiding use of tobacco
- checking blood pressure regularly.
High blood pressure or hypertension, is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of the body in the vessels. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the vessels. Blood pressure is created by the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries) as it is pumped by the heart. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in major organs such as the brain and kidneys.
Related link
World Health Day 2013 poster [pdf 938kb]
Many people with high blood pressure in developing countries remain undiagnosed, and so miss out on treatment that could significantly reduce their risk of death and disability from heart disease and stroke
Activities across Iraq were held today marking World Health Day, celebrated annually on 7 April, amid calls for intensified efforts to prevent and control high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, among the Iraqi population. the Ministry of Health led activities for the Day and emphasized the importance of this major public health problem which affects about one billion people worlwide, including four million Iraqis.
The Minister of Health Dr Majeed Hamad called for increased efforts to address behavioural and lifestyle-associated risk factors of high blood pressure among the Iraqi population. “As high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other serious health complications and yet is both preventable and treatable; we should promote healthy lifestyles,” said Dr Majeed Hamad.
Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted the need for changes in lifestyles to prevent and control high blood pressure. He urged the adoption and promotion of affordable and effective interventions, such as eating a healthy balanced diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, reducing salt intake and avoiding fats and sugar.
In Iraq, the prevalence of high blood pressure among the adult population (25 years and above) and the use of medication to control it, was found to be 40% in 2008. Prevalence is higher among males than females. About 50% of total mortality in Iraq is caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major contributor to NCDs, a global epidemic which necessitates greater and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders.
Promoting the importance of checking one's blood pressure, WHO is calling on all adults around the world to have their blood pressure measured considering it the first step in prevention and control. “We need a three-pronged approach to deal with the challenge of high blood pressure among people in Iraq: 1) promoting awareness of healthy lifestyles, which is both simple and cost effective; 2) detecting high blood pressure early through the network of primary health care centres across the country as 92% of these centres provide comprehensive care; and 3) encouraging access to, and utilization of, first line subsidized medicine available at public sector clinics,” said Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative for Iraq.
Experts say high blood pressure can be largely prevented by adopting some lifestyle modifications. According to Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, prevalence can be reduced by:
- maintaining a healthy body weight
- consuming a health diet (fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins)
- avoiding excessive use of salt
- becoming physically active
- avoiding use of tobacco
- checking blood pressure regularly.
High blood pressure or hypertension, is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of the body in the vessels. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the vessels. Blood pressure is created by the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries) as it is pumped by the heart. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in major organs such as the brain and kidneys.
Related link
World Health Day 2013 poster [pdf 938kb]
