Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a significant public health issue that affects at least 20% of adults in many countries. It can be classified into essential (primary or idiopathic) and secondary hypertension, with essential hypertension representing 95% of all cases. Modifiable risk factors for primary hypertension include smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of physical exercise, and poor eating habits, while non-modifiable risk factors include age and gender. Secondary hypertension, which represents 5-10% of cases, is attributed to underlying conditions such as renal failure and hyperaldosteronism. Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of complications such as damage to the brain and kidneys, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, angina, and transient ischemic attack. The prevalence of hypertension has increased globally over the past 25 years, with low- and middle-income countries having a higher prevalence compared to high-income countries. Hypertension is a significant cause of death in India, accounting for 30 to 40 percent of heart failure cases. Hypertension is prevalent in both urban and rural areas, with rates predicted to be 19% and 48%, respectively. It affects more women than men and is the third leading cause of death in Northern India. The Northern part of India has seen an increase in cases of hypertension over the past three years, making it necessary to investigate the causes and impact of hypertension in the district. Few studies have been done to look into the causes and contributors of hypertension in Northern India, so this study aims to fill the knowledge gap and inform policy planning and development to help lower the prevalence of hypertension and its related health risks.
Author(s) Details:
Rohit Raina
Department of General Medicine, AIIMS Bathinda, Punjab, India.
Recent Global Research Developments in Risk Factors for Hypertension in the Elderly: A Detailed Analysis
Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension in Older People: This study from the KORA-age 1 survey in Germany highlights the high prevalence of hypertension among older adults, with significant gaps in awareness, treatment, and control. Factors such as age, obesity, and diabetes were associated with higher prevalence [1] .
WHO Global Report 2023 on Hypertension: This report emphasizes the increasing burden of hypertension globally, particularly in the Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. It underscores the need for improved awareness and management strategies to address hypertension and its complications [2] .
Managing Hypertension in Older Adults: This review discusses the current and projected numbers of older adults with hypertension, the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, and the importance of assessing comorbid conditions. It also covers lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy tailored for older adults [3] .
Current Management of Hypertension in Older Adults: This article highlights the global burden of hypertension and its association with cardiovascular diseases. It provides insights into the management strategies for hypertension in older adults, balancing the benefits and risks of treatment [4] .
Hypertension in Older Adults: A Comprehensive Review: This review addresses various aspects of hypertension in the elderly, including the impact of comorbidities, the role of lifestyle modifications, and the effectiveness of different antihypertensive therapies. It emphasizes the need for personalized treatment plans to achieve optimal outcomes [5] .
References
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- Kario, K., Okura, A., Hoshide, S., & Mogi, M. (2024). The WHO Global report 2023 on hypertension warning the emerging hypertension burden in globe and its treatment strategy. Hypertension Research, 47(5), 1099-1102.
- Egan, B.M., Mattix-Kramer, H.J., Basile, J.N. et al. Managing Hypertension in Older Adults. Curr Hypertens Rep 26, 157–167 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-023-01289-7
- Chatzis, D.G., Magounaki, K., Pantazopoulos, I. et al. Current Management of Hypertension in Older Adults. Drugs Aging 40, 407–416 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-023-01013-9
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