In recent years, hypertension has been an increasing problem in our country contributing to high morbidity and mortality cases in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Heart Association (2020), it was found to have a high incidence of 38.6% among the hospital-based population. Because of this pressing concern, annually, we celebrate the Hypertension Awareness every month of May with this year’s theme, “Know your Numbers”, to encourage each individual to have their blood pressure checked and measured.
Young people are not exempted with hypertension. In fact, it is common among individuals aged 20 to 40 years old. According to the study of Nwankwo et al, worldwide estimates of the prevalence of hypertension in the year 2000 among adults aged 20 to 29 were 12.7% in men and 7.4% in women rising to 18.4% and 12.6% respectively, in 30 to 39 years old. In the Philippines data showed 16% or 7 million Filipino adults aged 20 years and above have hypertension, a study conducted by Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH). Looking at the trend of cases, the prevalence rate has been predicted to increase in the coming years with the current poor diet and lifestyle behaviors of people and in making actions in lowering hypertension diagnostic thresholds.
Generally speaking, hypertension has harmful health effects to all individuals even at a young age. Blood pressure has been shown to have been strongly tracked with age; the individuals with elevated blood pressure in youth are likely to have elevated blood pressure in later life increasing rates of cardiovascular disease leading to mortality. What should you do to manage elevated blood pressure?
For young-onset hypertension, it is necessary to consult a doctor for assessment and pharmacological intervention if needed. Lifestyle intervention is of big help in controlling blood pressure. In a meta-analysis study conducted with 14 exercise studies in 18 to 40 years old for 3 to 4 months, improvement in clinical blood pressure by an average of 4 to 5 mm Hg. was noted. Other than exercise, it is also recommended to watch over the dietary intake of the individual having hypertension with a low dietary sodium diet and low fat diet. Strict compliance of the dietary recommendations will help control blood pressure. With this, foods high in sodium must be avoided such as processed food items which includes canned foods, instant foods, cold cuts and fermented products. These food items and food mixed with commercial seasoning should be limited, if not eliminated, in the diet. According to American Heart Association, an intake of 2000mg to 4,0000 mg is the daily sodium allowance that includes the natural inherent sodium of all the food items. On the other hand, a low fat diet will limit the intake of saturated fats or commonly known as the “bad fat” which is usually from animal sources such as edible fats of meat and processed fats which includes mayonnaise, peanut butter, sandwich spreads. All of these interventions will help control the blood pressure and the onset of hypertension. Just discipline yourself and make a good turn of your habit. Hypertension can be easily managed if it is on its onset. Don’t waste your precious life. Make a change.
NO II Joanna Marie E. Baltazar
References:
- Hypertension among adults in the United States: National health and nutrition examination survey
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24171916/
- Will exercise be sufficient for the treatment of young adults with prehypertension and hypertension?
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.116.07431
- Causes of hypertension in the young
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1701647/?page=1
- Why your Blood Pressure Matters- Even in your 20s and 30s
https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/jan/why-your-blood-pressure-matters-even-in-your-20s-and-30s/
- Prevalence of Hypertension among Filipinos increasing- PSH
https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/2806-prevalence-of-hypertension-among-filipinos-increasing-psh