Sep 28, 2008 (Hugin via COMTEX) -- * Largest-ever heart health survey, Do You
Know Your Numbers?, highlights lack of understanding about benefits of blood
pressure management[1]
* High blood pressure-along with cholesterol and diabetes-is a leading
contributor to heart disease[2], the world's number one killer[3]
* Among people who know their blood pressure numbers, one in three say it's not
controlled and are not taking action to control it1and only one in ten adults
are concerned about their heart health[1]
* Survey results are being released on World Heart Day to highlight the heart
healthy benefits of good blood pressure management[1]
Vancouver, September 28, 2008 - To mark World Heart Day, the results of the
largest ever international heart health survey, 'Do You Know Your Numbers?' were
released today. The findings show that many adults are confused about their
blood pressure, which undermines a more positive approach to their heart
health[1]. One in three adults, an estimated 424 million people worldwide are
unaware of what healthy blood pressure levels should be and one in three of the
adults surveyed are at risk from heart disease yet only one in ten are concerned
about their heart health[1]. This comes at a time when cardiovascular disease,
the world's number one cause of death[3] is endemic worldwide and no longer
limited to economically developed countries[4].
The survey was cosponsored by the World Hypertension League and Novartis and is
the largest-ever public study of its kind. It was designed to capture the level
of knowledge among adults in 15 countries about their general heart health,
including their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol values.
"By focusing public attention on the benefits of controlling high blood
pressure, as well as cholesterol and diabetes, we want to help people better
protect themselves and their hearts," said Arun Chockalingam, Secretary General
of the World Hypertension League. "Together with Novartis, we hope that people
will mark World Heart Day by learning more about heart health and will make
blood pressure monitoring part of their general health management."
Psychologist and author, Dr David Lewis reaffirms the confusion found in the
survey findings as very common with chronic diseases like high blood pressure
and high cholesterol. "Because high blood pressure often has no symptoms, too
many people become apathetic about the condition. A key to taking positive
action is to think about the health benefits for a family and involve family
members. These results highlight the need for families to encourage their loved
ones to take the necessary steps to monitor and control their blood pressure
levels."
The survey has shown that adults are not familiar with the importance of the
three key heart health measures for overall heart health- blood pressure,
cholesterol and blood sugar levels. With almost three in five adults not knowing
what normal blood sugar and cholesterol levels should be, there is a critical
need for better education to assist with monitoring these important heart health
numbers.
Often having no noticeable symptoms, high blood pressure is known as the 'silent
killer' and affects one in four adults, or nearly one billion people
globally[5]. Despite the lack of symptoms, high blood pressure's daily impact on
the body can lead to life-altering complications[6],[7]
Release of the Do You Know Your Numbers? survey results coincides with World
Heart Day, which is being marked by heart health screening and other public
events in over one hundred countries worldwide. World Heart Day activities are
intended for individuals, families and anybody interested in learning more about
promoting heart health.
-ends-
The World Hypertension League (WHL) is a federation of leagues, societies, and
other national bodies devoted to promote the detection, control and prevention
of arterial hypertension in populations.. Individual membership is not possible.
The thrust of the WHL's action is in liaison with the member organizations,
promoting the exchange of information among them, and offering internationally
applicable methods and programs for hypertension control. Bringing together and
stimulating organizations committed to the control of hypertension is the goal
and raison d'etre of the WHL. The WHL is a division of the International Society
of Hypertension (ISH), and is in official relations with the World Health
Organization (WHO).
For information about the World Hypertension League, contact your national
hypertension society or visit our website at www.worldhypertensionleague.org.
Media Contact Dr. Arun Chockalingam, Secretary-General, World Hypertension
League Tel: +1 778-782-7176 whlsec@sfu.ca
References [1] Do You Know Your Numbers? Omnibus Survey, Echo Research,
April-May 2008. [2] Ezzati et al. Selected major risk factors and global
regional burden of disease. The Lancet. 2002;360: 1347 - 1359 [3] World Health
Organization. Cardiovascular Disease Factsheet, accessed 13 June 2008. Available
at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs317/en/index.html. [4] Lawes et
al. Global burden of blood-pressure-related disease, 2001. The Lancet 2008;
371:1513-1518. [5] Kearney et al. Global burden of hypertension: analysis of
worldwide data. The Lancet 2005; 365: 217-223. [6] Chobanian et al. Seventh
Report of the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and
treatment of high blood pressure. Hypertension. 2003; 42: 1206 - 1251. [7]
Statistical Fact Sheet: International Cardiovascular Disease Statistics.
American Heart Association 2004. - 1359.
The media release can be downloaded from the following link:
SOURCE: World Hypertension League
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