High blood pressure causes 7.5 million deaths each year.
Scientists estimate that more than 1.1 billion people suffer from high blood pressure, primarily concentrated in poor countries in Africa and South Asia.
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) puts extra pressure on blood vessels and vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. It is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide, leading to strokes and heart attacks. It is estimated that this disease causes 7.5 million deaths annually around the world.
A study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) along with hundreds of international scientists, recently published on Reuters, shows that the number of people with high blood pressure has nearly doubled in 40 years, reaching over 1.1 billion worldwide.
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| In 2015, 1.1 billion people suffered from high blood pressure out of a total population of over 7 billion worldwide. (Image: vaheart.org) |
This is the largest study of its kind analyzing blood pressure data compiled from all countries worldwide between 1975 and 2015. Scientists say that the rate of hypertension has decreased sharply in wealthy countries (possibly due to healthier diets and lifestyles) but has increased in poorer countries. This is evident in Africa and South Asia.
South Korea, the United States, and Canada have the lowest rates of hypertension in the world. In 2015, in Europe, the United Kingdom had the lowest rate of hypertension.
Research estimates that over 50% of people with high blood pressure in 2015 lived in Asia. Approximately 226 million people in China suffered from the condition, while the figure was 200 million in India.
Majid Ezzati, a professor at the Imperial College London School of Public Health, said: "In 1975, high blood pressure was not associated with affluence, but now it is a serious health problem linked to poverty."
High blood pressure stems from several factors, including a diet high in salt and low in fruits and vegetables, as well as a lack of exercise.
According to Zing.vn
