Hypertension, or chronic high blood pressure, is a major cause of heart disease, which claims countless lives worldwide every day. Despite advances in medical treatments for controlling hypertension, many people remain untreated, leaving them vulnerable to serious health problems.
A recent study led by researchers from the University of Washington suggests a new global strategy to address this challenge. They propose an “80-80-80 target” as a national policy for managing hypertension, aiming to significantly reduce deaths and suffering caused by the condition.
The study highlights that while effective treatments for high blood pressure exist, only about 20% of people with hypertension globally manage to control their condition using medication.
The researchers identified several barriers, including limited access to medical care, a lack of awareness about hypertension among patients, and insufficient public health efforts, particularly in underdeveloped countries.
To explore the potential impact of better hypertension control, the researchers created a model based on their 80-80-80 target. This approach sets three ambitious goals:
- 80% of people in a population are tested for hypertension.
Early detection is critical because hypertension often has no noticeable symptoms until serious complications arise. - 80% of those diagnosed with hypertension receive treatment.
This includes making medications and lifestyle interventions widely available and accessible. - 80% of those treated achieve their target blood pressure levels.
Effective treatment can prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other complications.
Using this model, the researchers estimated that achieving the 80-80-80 target globally could save between 76 and 130 million lives over time.
While their analysis focused on death prevention, they also noted that reducing hypertension would alleviate pain and suffering caused by related conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.
The study emphasizes that reaching this target would require coordinated efforts from governments, healthcare systems, and communities. It involves improving medical infrastructure, raising public awareness about hypertension, and ensuring access to affordable treatments.
The researchers believe that implementing the 80-80-80 target worldwide could become one of the most significant public health achievements of the 21st century.
Hypertension is a preventable and manageable condition. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding risk factors like smoking can help lower blood pressure. The researchers urge all countries to adopt the 80-80-80 target as a national goal, emphasizing that even incremental progress could save millions of lives.
The findings, published in Nature Medicine by Sarah J. Pickersgill and colleagues, serve as a call to action for global health leaders to prioritize hypertension control. By setting and striving for the 80-80-80 target, nations can take a major step toward reducing the global burden of heart disease and improving public health outcomes.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about How to eat your way to healthy blood pressure and results showing that Modified traditional Chinese cuisine can lower blood pressure.
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