This is a topic that I have raised previously.  However, there was a recent article I came across in my journal reading that highlighted some new data that is quite concerning.  I felt it is worth sharing as statistically it affects so many of us either directly, or through someone we are close to.

We have all heard of high blood pressure or hypertension.  In a nutshell, it means the pressure in your blood vessels is elevated to the point that it can cause damage to you heart and end organs.  It is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke , cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and premature death.  It is directly linked to around 9 million deaths worldwide per year and there are many millions more suffering a reduced quality of life due to the complications.  With this massive negative impact, you would think as a society we would be right on top of detecting and managing it?

Perhaps not.

The new data that is cause for concern highlights the following:

• 1.28 billion adults worldwide have high blood pressure.  That is over 20% of the world’s adult population
• 46% of adults with high blood pressure are unaware they have this condition
• Approximately on 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure have it under control
• 20% or people prescribed a blood pressure medication do not collect a second prescription
• 56% of people are non-adherent to their blood pressure medication with 33 months

So, to summarise this, 20% of us have high blood pressure and half of these people do not know they have it.  Of the ones that do know they have it, only 20% are treated to the point that it is controlled.  And more than half of all people with high blood pressure don’t take their medications as prescribed. This is for a condition that is likely killing 9 million people per year.

So ,this means that there are potentially somewhere between 5 and 9 million premature deaths occurring in the world every year, which seems like madness.

For me there is a very clear and simple message in this:

Get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

Your doctor can check it, we can check it here in the pharmacy or buy yourself a decent home blood pressure monitor.  But please know, there will be hundreds of people reading this email who have high blood pressure but don’t know it.

And if your blood pressure is high, take your medicines and keep checking it on a regular basis.  We know that up to 56% of people prescribed a blood pressure medication are not taking it.  And this dramatically increases the risk of premature death.

And consider the following healthier lifestyle options if they could apply to you:

• Achieve a healthier body weight (every 5kg of weightloss will improve blood pressure)
• Reduce intake of salt, sugar and saturated fats
• Get some exercise
• Stop smoking
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Reduce stress / undertake relaxation techniques

This is a snapshot of a very serious issue.  People are dying younger, needlessly.  This is crazy given that diagnosis is so easy, medications are readily available and there are simple lifestyle changes that are very effective.  I invite you to please come into the pharmacy and have your blood pressure checked.  

And if you have concerns about your blood pressure medications please reach and have a chat with one of our pharmacists.  This information is potentially life changing for many in our community – but only if you take action.