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As a result of increasing overweight in children and young adults, pre-hypertension and high blood pressure are becoming more common in people under 18 years old.

The consequences will be increased rates of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, if hypertension and other risk factors are not adequately managed.

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease in the world and a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries

Hypertension is not only a disease of the western world

In recent years, there have been significant lifestyle changes in populations all over the world. Together with global population aging, these changes are associated with a rise in the prevalence of various diseases such as hypertension, cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and conditions linked to obesity.

These diseases are already common in industrialized nations, and are often associated with older age and a “westernized” lifestyle. However, as a result of increasing overweight in children and young adults, pre-hypertension and high blood pressure are becoming more common in people under 18 years old. Furthermore, these lifestyle-related diseases are also becoming more prevalent in many developing countries where poverty, under-nutrition and infectious diseases are also rife.

Hypertension – a global epidemic

According to the WHO (World Health Organization) 2002 report, hypertension is estimated to cause 7.1 million deaths worldwide, which is about 13% of all deaths worldwide. The WHO report states that about 62% of strokes and 49% of heart attacks worldwide, are caused by hypertension. These statistics are already serious, but even more seriously, WHO predicts that there will be a 60% increase in the number of adults with hypertension over the next 20 years.

Population-wide preventive efforts are cost-effective

The World Health Report 2002 urges countries to adopt policies and programs to promote population-wide interventions such as reducing salt in processed foods, cutting dietary fat, encouraging exercise and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and reducing smoking. These are the most cost-effective known interventions to reduce hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. This reflects recent evidence that such therapy benefits all groups at elevated risk, even those with average or below average blood pressure or cholesterol.

More information

For more information about hypertension we recommend talking to your doctor and visiting the following websites:

• Why should I care about hypertension – The American Heart Association
• High blood pressure risk calculator – The American Heart Association 2003 World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Hypertension (ISH) statement on management of hypertension
• DASH Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension – American Heart Association
• Medications for high blood pressure – FDA

This content was last reviewed on February 09, 2010.

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