Silent Killer of Heart and Brain Attacks

According to SAEDNEWS, Fereydoon Nouhi, a cardiovascular specialist and permanent member of the Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, on the occasion of World Hypertension Day, warned about the high prevalence of hypertension in Iran and the world, saying: high blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, which, if neglected, can lead to stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, and even blindness.

According to Mehr News Agency, the head of Shahid Rajaei Heart Hospital in Tehran stated that when a person’s blood pressure is higher than the normal and expected level, the person is considered to have hypertension. This disease is recognized as an independent and leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and has major economic and health consequences worldwide.

He added that about three-quarters of people suffering from heart diseases are in some way involved with high blood pressure, which makes prevention and treatment of this disease even more important.

This cardiology specialist, referring to global statistics on hypertension, said that depending on countries, ages, and societies, between 15 to 25 percent of the world’s population suffers from high blood pressure, and in total, more than one billion people worldwide live with this disease.

He continued that increased blood pressure can cause serious damage to vital organs and lead to stroke, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and even dementia. According to statistics, more than 54 percent of strokes, 50 percent of ischemic heart disease, and about 25 percent of cardiovascular diseases worldwide are caused by high blood pressure.

Noughi stated that studies have shown that treating and controlling hypertension can prevent up to 50 percent of strokes and about 40 percent of heart attacks.

Regarding the situation in Iran, he said that results of two major studies conducted in Tehran and Isfahan on about 15,000 people show that the prevalence of hypertension in the country is also significant; about 20 percent of people aged 25 to 60 and about 12 percent of people under 27 suffer from high blood pressure.

The permanent member of the Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences emphasized that the presence of hypertension under the age of 27 is concerning and shows the need for greater attention to lifestyle and prevention among the younger generation.

He noted that public awareness about blood pressure is still low, adding that many people are unaware of their condition, and even those who know about it do not take treatment, control, and lifestyle changes seriously.

Noughi explained that some factors such as age, gender, family history, and genetics are uncontrollable, but factors such as obesity, smoking, inactivity, unhealthy diet, high salt intake, and overweight are among the most important controllable causes.

He added that kidney diseases and some hormonal disorders can also cause high blood pressure. In addition, low birth weight or insufficient breastfeeding in the first two years of life can increase the risk of hypertension in adulthood.

This cardiology specialist defined hypertension by stating that in adults, if blood pressure reaches 14 over 9 or higher, the person is considered hypertensive, and the higher the numbers, the more severe the condition.

The professor at Iran University of Medical Sciences emphasized that weight loss, proper diet, reduced salt intake, regular physical activity, and medication under medical supervision are among the most important ways to control blood pressure.

Noughi concluded by recommending that families should have a blood pressure device at home and regularly monitor their blood pressure, because if left untreated, hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and even blindness.