Hypertension, defined as high blood pressure greater than 140 over 90, is a growing and preventable condition many Canadians should be aware of.

May 17 is World Hypertension Day, an annual initiative of the World Hypertension League created to raise awareness about the impact of high blood pressure and hypertension on an individual’s health.

In 2005, it was estimated five million Canadians, or 22 percent of the adult population, suffer from high blood pressure. Of these, 42 percent are unaware of their condition, while a mere 16 percent have their condition under control through treatment.
It is important for Canadians to stay informed about their health and take the necessary measures to reduce their risk of heart disease and maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Adults over the age of 55 are at a 90 percent risk for developing hypertension at some point in their lives.
Nearly half of all Canadian women 65 years and older have high blood pressure. Women with high blood pressure are 3.5 times more likely to develop heart disease than women with normal blood pressure.

Research demonstrates half of the state of our health is caused by our social and economic environment. This suggests a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in preventing many health problems.

Canadians looking to reduce their risk of heart disease by maintaining a healthy blood pressure should take care to be physically active for 30 to 60 minutes each day, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, reduce their stress, avoid smoking and second-hand smoke, have no more than two alcoholic drinks each day, maintain a healthy weight and reduce their intake of salt.

The average Canadian consumes more than twice the recommended daily sodium intake. Reducing one’s daily sodium consumption by less than a teaspoon can decrease the prevalence of high blood pressure by 30 percent.

Canadians find 77 percent of the sodium they consume in processed foods, while 11 percent is added during preparation, with the remaining 12 percent occurring naturally.

Health-conscious individuals should make a point of eating fewer processed foods and limiting the salt they add when cooking or at the table.

Getting educated about good health practices and making little changes in our daily lives can go a long way in reducing instances of high blood pressure and hypertension in Canada.

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