It’s over a year since I reviewed this topic (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....blood+pressure ), so what’s new ?
• High blood pressure ( hypertension ) is still the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( heart attacks / failure, and strokes ). Worldwide, it affects about a billion people ( 20% to 50% of adults, depending on nationality and age ) and causes – directly or indirectly - over 7 million deaths / year.
• Although there ARE effective treatments if correctly diagnosed, control rates are below 10% worldwide ( about 90% USA and even higher in Cuba ; 30% England ; less than 20% Philippines ).
• Prevalence ( frequency ) is static in “ developed “ countries – about 30% of adults in England. Almost three-quarters of people with hypertension live in developing countries, where prevalence is increasing – now thought to be about 20% in Philippines.
• Factors which can’t be modified - but increase / are associated with hypertension - include age, genetics, family history, ethnic origin, dark skin colour and low birthweight.
• Environmental / lifestyle factors appear to be more important. These include diet ( especially too much salt ), obesity and lack of exercise, excess alcohol, smoking, stress, and urban living. Nutrition has changed in the past 40 years in countries such as the Philippines, with more processed food and the fast-food industry, and increased calories, salt, sugar and fat. Migration from rural to urban areas is correlated with more hypertension.
• At least two thirds of diabetic patients have hypertension ( several reasons ) ; a small proportion of hypertensives have other treatable causes such as kidney and endocrine diseases.
• It usually has no symptoms, so isn’t diagnosed unless / until blood pressure is measured ( accurately, more than once ). This doesn’t have to be done by a doctor in a clinic – it can be, and increasingly is in countries like UK, measured at home. Relatively few Filipinos are aware of the condition. There need to be national guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, using nurses, who are more plentiful, and cheaper, than doctors. Instead of opposing the Reproductive Health Bill, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference should consider supporting blood pressure measurement ( by nurses ) of all adults at the end of church services - thus covering most of the population !
• There are effective drugs for treating hypertension – paid for in the UK by NHS through taxation, and the patients themselves – if they can afford it – in the Philippines ( where the drugs MAY be counterfeit and not quality-controlled, if not actually harmful ).
• Drugs may not be needed if the hypertension is mild and diabetes not present ( or controlled ). Lifestyle changes may be all that is necessary – less alcohol, salt, and tobacco, with loss of weight / increased exercise may be enough, but not easy to achieve.
• This is one more condition which is less likely with a healthy lifestyle, wherever you live.
this effects me, a tablet a day for the rest of my life 
Originally Posted by mickcant
to produce.
cant see it tasting good 
JUST KIDDING!!! 
