THE hypertension remains the most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and deaths internationally.

It is the first cause of cardiovascular disease in developed countries and is the strongest risk factor for stroke episode and one of the strongest for coronary heart disease, heart attackheart failure, kidney failure and dementia.

In Hellas above the 1/3 of Greeks have hypertension (about 3,000,000 people) and over 1/2 of the elderly have hypertension. 30% of hypertensives are undiagnosed (about 1,000,000). Of those diagnosed, 30% have achieved good control with drug therapy.

The men and younger hypertensives more often have uncontrolled hypertension. The above is reported by the Hellenic Society of Hypertension, on the occasion of World Hypertension Day.

Annually, arterial hypertension is responsible for 7 million premature deaths worldwide while absorbing 4.5% of health care costs. Overall, in 2000 26.4% of the adult population of the world suffered from arterial hypertension (1 in 4 adults). In 2025, it is estimated that this percentage will rise to 29.2% percentage that is perhaps underestimated due to rapid changes in lifestyle. A significant number of these patients do not know that they suffer from arterial hypertension, as it does not cause specific symptoms unless it causes damage to specific organs, says Emmanuel Kallistratos, Senior Director of Cardiology, Chairman of the Arterial Hypertension Working Group of the Hellenic Cardiology Society.

When do we have hypertension?

Arterial hypertension is defined as blood pressure values ​​>140mmHg for systolic and/or >90mmHg for diastolic.

Of course, in order to establish the diagnosis of arterial hypertension, the pressure values ​​should be consistently elevated in successive measurements. Diagnosis is made only by blood pressure measurement and requires meticulous methodology and confirmation by repeated blood pressure measurements, often outside the office (at home or with 24-hour recording).

The main goal of antihypertensive treatment is to reduce blood pressure to levels below 140/90mmHg. Nevertheless, even a small drop in blood pressure (2mmHg) significantly reduces cardiovascular events, notes Mr. Kallistratos.

The long-term achievement of excellent blood pressure regulation significantly reduces cardiovascular risk, and with the therapeutic weapons available today, more than 95% of hypertensive patients can be well regulated without adverse effects, adds the Hellenic Society of Hypertension.

Change in lifestyle

The two scientific companies focus on lifestyle change. A healthy diet including plenty of fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy, reducing salt in food, regular physical exercise (eg brisk walking for at least half an hour most days of the week), maintaining a normal body weight level, and avoiding heavy alcohol consumption can help reduce pressure, but also prevent or delay its onset. In addition, smoking cessation and effective management of elevated cholesterol and sugar (when they coexist) are essential to prevent cardiovascular events.

“Measuring Month of May” Program (MMM)

On May 17, World Hypertension Day, events and activities are organized in many countries. In 2017 the International Society of Hypertension launched the May Measurement Month (MMM) Global Program where actions are taken during which blood pressure measurements are taken in the general population every May in over 100 countries.

The Global MMM program aims to inform the general population about the importance of early diagnosis of hypertension and its effective treatment.

With the aim of improving information on hypertension in Greece, since 2019, the MMM program has been implemented by the Hellenic Society of Hypertension in 11 urban centers and blood pressure measurements have been carried out on a total of 17,000 adults. From the resulting data it appeared that 40% of those measured had hypertension. Of the hypertensive patients, 25% were undiagnosed and less than half were well controlled with treatment.

The MMM 2024 program will take place again this year in Greece in May 2024 with the aim of measuring blood pressure in over 10,000 people in 18 cities.