Too pumped up
The number of Canadians with high blood pressure will soar in the next decade
Most Canadians have certainly heard of high blood pressure, but are likely unaware that it is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease. It is estimated that five million adults in this country have high blood pressure – but only 16 per cent have it under control. And the numbers are only going to soar. Says Dr. Norman Campbell, a Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson who helps to develop blood pressure guidelines with the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP): "One half of Canadians over 55 have high blood pressure, or hypertension. If you are 55 and have normal blood pressure now, you are 90 per cent likely to develop it over the next 20 years."
The Heart and Stroke Foundation is at the forefront of setting the groundwork for prevention. The CHEP guidelines, of which the Heart and Stroke Foundation is a contributing member, reflect substantial gains in diagnosis. As a result, more people with high blood pressure are being treated earlier and more effectively. "Canada has the potential to have one of the best systems worldwide for bringing high blood pressure under control," says Dr. George Honos, a Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson.
But these improvements in diagnosis are offset by the imminent increase in new cases. "We are talking very large numbers and treatment could be very expensive," says Dr. Campbell. "After all, high blood pressure is the leading reason an adult visits a physician." He adds that proper diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure can reduce the incidences of stroke by 40 per cent and heart attack by 20 to 50 per cent.
Dr. Campbell has this advice for all Canadians, regardless of age: Know your blood pressure numbers. And if you don't know what your readings are, ask your healthcare provider to provide them for you. Any reading higher than 120/80 deserves your immediate attention. Blood pressure can be controlled with the proper medication and lifestyle changes. "It will make the difference between your life and disability or death," he says.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation offers tools to help Canadians understand and control their blood pressure. The Heart&Stroke Risk Assessment and Blood Pressure Action Plan™ are free, confidential, Web-based resources that Canadians can use to get support to prevent and control high blood pressure.
Last reviewed April 2007.
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© – Reproduced with permission of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 2007
