Hypertension or high blood pressure is a disease that is often referred to as "the silent killer." This is because not all people with hypertension are aware of the disease they are suffering from. Hypertension is a non-communicable disease that is one of the world's main causes of death at a young age. Hypertension is a threat to public health because of its potential to cause complications such as stroke, coronary heart disease, and kidney failure.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the global prevalence of hypertension is 22% of the world population, where only one in five people manage their blood pressure. Furthermore, WHO estimates, one in five women worldwide has hypertension. This number is greater in the male group, where it is estimated that one in four people worldwide suffers from hypertension.
In Indonesia, the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) results show the prevalence rate of hypertension in people > 18 years of age is 34.11%. The prevalence of hypertension in the 2018 Riskesdas was measured by interviews and measurements. Through interviews, respondents will be asked whether they have ever been diagnosed with hypertension. In addition, they were also asked about adherence to taking hypertension medication, so the 2018 Riskesdas produced three prevalence rates, namely based on diagnosis (D), diagnosis of currently taking medication (D/O), and measurement (U).
The measurement method generally produces a higher prevalence rate because it succeeds in capturing respondents who are hypertension sufferers but are not aware that they have high blood pressure. At the same time, the prevalence rate based on diagnosis or taking medication depends on the ability to remember the respondent. It cannot capture respondents who have high blood pressure but are unaware of it.
Diagnosis can be made by measuring blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer device. Currently, sphygmomanometer forms vary, ranging from mercury digital to aneroid. Measurements will be more accurate if carried out by health workers or health cadres trained and certified by health workers to take measures with a calibrated sphygmomanometer.
Hypertension is characterized by blood pressure measurements showing a systolic pressure of > 140 mmHg or a diastolic pressure of > 90 mmHg. Furthermore, hypertension can be divided into the following levels:
- Normal blood pressure if the upper blood pressure (systolic) is <120 and lower blood pressure is <80
- Pre-Hypertension Phase Blood Pressure if the upper blood pressure (systolic) is 120-139 and the lower blood pressure is 80-89
- Blood Pressure Phase 1 Hypertension if upper blood pressure (systolic) ≥160 and lower blood pressure ≥100
- Blood Pressure Stage 2 Hypertension if upper blood pressure (systolic) ≥140 and lower blood pressure <90
- Blood Pressure Isolated Systolic Hypertension Phase if upper blood pressure (systolic) <120 and lower blood pressure <80
So, are you now more familiar with hypertension? Come on, keep your blood pressure in check for a healthier life! Remember to read other nutrition and health-related articles on Fitie to improve your knowledge.
Sources:
Kementerian Kesehatan RI. (2019). Laporan Riskesdas 2018. Jakarta: Badan Litbangkes, Kemenkes.
Pusat Data dan Informasi. (2019). InfoDATIN. Jakarta: Kementerian Kesehatan RI.