High BP, Philippine setting

(First of two parts)

Local hypertension experts are starting to get disheartened. Despite all efforts to control high blood pressure (BP) in the country, the prevalence of hypertension is still progressively increasing—from 11 percent in 1992 to 28 percent, based on the latest survey conducted by Dr. Jorge Sison’s team of researchers in the Council on Hypertension of the Philippine Heart Association.

In 2003 the prevalence was 22 percent and in 2008 it was 25 percent. With the most recent prevalent rate, it means that more than one  out  of four Filipinos 18  years of age and older have elevated BP and many don’t even know that they have this potentially serious medical condition.

It’s quite opportune that the Philippines is hosting the Asian Pacific Congress of Hypertension on Feb. 12-15 in Cebu City. International experts from all over the world will be convening to share their data on the diagnosis, evaluation and control of hypertension and its long list of complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure, dementia and even sudden death.

So far, close to a thousand delegates have preregistered and a few hundred more foreign and local experts are expected to register on-site for the congress. To make the most out of this rare opportunity to host a medical congress like this, the organizers are also giving free registration to 150 medical residents and government physicians who are involved in hypertension treatment. To check if there are still free slots available, eligible physicians may call the local secretariat (0917-6255810, 6317970, 6877073, 6872841) and look for Rowena, Janette or Noel.

Going back to Dr. Sison’s research survey, which is called Presyon 3, it’s interesting to note that the prevalence rate of high BP in the rural areas are fast catching up to that of  the big cities. Whereas before there were much less hypertensive Filipinos  residing in rural areas compared to their urban counterparts, the difference is not that remarkable anymore in the recent survey.

Forty-seven percent of all hypertensive Filipinos surveyed come from the rural areas, while 53 percent are city dwellers. It seems that the unhealthy lifestyle of city dwellers including smoking, excessive drinking and indulgence in salty, high-fat diet and fast-food fare is almost just as prevalent among those in the rural areas.

Another interesting finding in the Presyon 3 survey is that separated and widowed individuals are much more likely to have high BP than married or single individuals. The prevalence rates for widowed and separated Filipinos are the same—a high 54 percent, compared to 29 percent for married individuals and 14 percent for single individuals. The rate for married people is close to the national prevalence rate, but for the widowed and separated, there appears to be an almost doubling of the prevalence rate.