The morbidity of the population through hypertension in the Republic of Moldova is at one of the highest levels. In 2021, 624,000 adults suffered from high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease accompanied by hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases accompanied by hypertension. The data were presented by the National Public Health Agency in connection with World Hypertension Day that is annually celebrated on May 17. Specialists warn that hypertension is a major cause of such health problems as stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and dementia, IPN reports.
According to the Agency, the incidence of new cases of hypertension identified last year was 103.9 cases per 10,000 people or 29,856 persons older than 18. Many persons who suffer from hypertension do not know about this as they don’t have any symptoms. Therefore, high blood pressure is often called the “silent killer”.
High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against the artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems. Blood pressure is classified by two measurements, the systolic and diastolic pressures, which are the maximum and minimum pressures, respectively.
For most adults, normal blood pressure at rest is within the range of 100–130 millimeters mercury (mmHg) systolic and 60–80 mmHg diastolic. For most adults, high blood pressure is present if the resting blood pressure is persistently at or above 130/80 or 140/90 mmHg.
Lifestyle changes and medications can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of health complications. Lifestyle changes include weight loss, physical exercise, decreased salt intake, reducing alcohol intake, and a healthy diet. If lifestyle changes are not sufficient, then blood pressure medications are used.
An estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low- and middle-income countries. About 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.
