Undiagnosed Hypertension Rampant Worldwide, Says Study

A team of international researchers claims that hypertension is common and very few who are aware of their condition receive adequate drug therapy.

A study done by the Population Health Research Institute in collaboration with a team of international researchers says that most patients are unaware that they have hypertension. Even those who are aware of the condition do not take adequate drugs for this disease. This is more prominent in high income countries like Canada as well as middle and low income countries.

Hypertension also called high blood pressure is a silent killer as it doesn't have any warning signs or symptoms. Most times people are unaware of the condition. Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults suffer from hypertension that elevates the risk of stroke and heart disease. Lifestyle, genetic factors and health conditions put a person at a higher risk of developing blood pressure. Every year throughout the world 7.6 million deaths take place due to cardiovascular diseases caused due to hypertension.

To control hypertension several drug treatments have been designed but this study reveals that only one third of the patients who are aware of their condition are availing the drug treatment.

Dr. Salim Yusuf, senior author and professor of medicine of McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine said, "Blood pressure lowering drugs are generally inexpensive and commonly available treatments. However only a third of patients commenced on treatment are on enough treatment to control their blood pressure. This is worst in low income countries, but significant in high and middle income countries too."

For this study the researchers worked on data from PURE study that consisted of 154,000 adults between 35 and 70 years. It was a mixed group that included people with and without a history of heart disease or stroke. They were taken from 17 low and middle income countries. The researchers measured the participant's blood pressure and also recorded the medication they were taking. They also enquired whether the participants was aware of their condition. The study revealed that only 46.5 percent of the participants with hypertension were aware of the diagnosis while in 32.5 percent, the  blood pressure was under control as they were being treated.

Yusuf concluded saying, "The findings are disturbing and indicate a need for systematic efforts to better detect those with high blood pressure. Early use of combination therapies, that is, two or more types of blood pressure-lowering treatments taken together, may be required."