Hypertension alert

Sun Daily HERE are some grim news: many people who have hypertension do not even know that they have it.
According to Dr Azani Mohammed Daud (right), who is the president of the Malaysian Society of Hypertension, “for every person diagnosed with hypertension, there are six who are not”.
Speaking at the society’s ninth Annual Scientific Meeting recently, he said only 40% of Malaysians suffering from hypertension are properly diagnosed with the disease.
“Most patients with hypertension don’t know that they have it,” said Azani. “Hypertension is a risk factor for heart attacks and in Asians particularly, it’s a risk factor for strokes. In Malaysia, we see six new stroke patients a day.
“Over the long term, hypertension causes damage to the kidney. Malaysia has one of the highest rates of patients undergoing dialysis.”
Azani said most people are unaware that they have hypertension due to the absence of symptoms.
Some people, however, have persistent headaches and a check with their doctor usually reveals that they have high blood pressure readings.
“They are the lucky ones as they can get treatment immediately,” said Azani who suggested that people request for a blood pressure reading each time they visit their doctor, no matter what their ailment is.
He added that health authorities recommend that people over the age of 30 should have their blood pressure checked regularly. “You should get your blood pressure checked at least once a year.”
The director general of health, Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman, said that according to a survey by the Ministry of Health, there are some 5.8 million people in Malaysia who have high blood pressure but only 2.2 million seek regular treatment.
He pointed out that the best way to control hypertension is through early detection.
He said people can even get their blood pressure read when they visit their sick family members or friends at hospitals.
“Just go to the counter and the nurses or hospital attendants will do it for you for free,” said Hasan.