High blood pressure, dubbed as the "global silent killer" and responsible for some 75,000 deaths in the United Kingdom alone, has afflicted more than 5.5 million England-based residents undiagnosed with the said disease.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) leads as a worldwide frontrunner cause of death, with some 17.9 million casualties each year, 31% of all global deaths.
The UK government reported CVD to cause one in four deaths in England, equating to one death every four minutes.
This information is included in a published report by Public Health England, an executive agency of the UK's Department of Health that provides advice for the government, local authorities, and the National Health Service (NHS). The study further revealed that with millions at risk from this "silent killer" in the country alone, there is urgency and "importance in taking action."
The report underscored the importance of the government's commitment to early detection and preventative action for those at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as published in the Next Steps On The NHS Five Year Forward View authored by NHS England and released in March 2017.
The government agency also pointed out the 2015-published The Global Burden of Disease Study, which highlighted the significance and urgency of tackling high blood pressure as an "international priority as it is the second biggest known global risk factor for diseases after poor diet. In the UK, high blood pressure is the third biggest risk factor for the disease after tobacco smoking and poor diet."
Public Health England stressed that "too many people are still living with undetected and poorly managed atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol", and with its partnership with NHS England, it calls for action to "reduce the health inequalities associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the next ten years.".
High Blood Pressure As The "Silent Killer"
The World Health Organisation (WHO), Blood Pressure UK, and other health organizations highlight high blood pressure, the "silent killer," as a global health issue. The latest statistics from these organizations show that high blood pressure is a growing and menacing health concern worldwide.
WHO's recent report estimates that some 1.3 billion worldwide have high blood pressure, yet almost 50% of hypertensive patients globally are "currently unaware of their condition". These patients were reported to have doubled between 1990 and 2019, skyrocketing from 650 million to 1.3 billion.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that hypertension as a preventable and curable disease "can be controlled effectively with simple, low-cost medication regimens, and yet only about one in five people with hypertension have controlled it."
"Hypertension control programmes remain neglected, under-prioritized
and vastly underfunded. Strengthening hypertension control must be
part of every country's journey towards universal health coverage based on
well-functioning, equitable and resilient health systems built on a foundation
of primary health care."
In 2016, WHO partnered with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) to launch the Global Hearts Initiative, established in support of governments worldwide to strengthen the prevention and control of CVDs
The initiative pointed out that the global health threat of CVDs and hypertension has resulted in deaths occurring in those under 70 years of age, with intensified effects on those suffering from poverty, especially in underdeveloped countries, "where coping with heart diseases may include inability to work and facing high treatment costs."
"Developing countries, in particular, face major challenges in preventing heart attacks and strokes and avoiding the associated social and economic burdens," the initiative further stressed.
The United Nation's The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, meanwhile, acknowledges the global impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including CVD, which the WHO's Millennium Development Goals did not address. Its goal is to have one-third fewer premature deaths from NCDs by 2030, enhancing WHO implementation.
Blood Pressure UK's recent statistics show that one in three adults in the UK suffer from high blood pressure and that in England alone, hypertensive patients are at 31% in males and 26% in females.
The UK-based agency further informed that the said high-risk medical condition costs the NHS over £2.1 billion every year, with half of the 5.5 million British residents unaware of their undiagnosed disease.
With the "silent killer" responsible for 50% of strokes and heart attacks in the UK, it also ranks third as the highest risk factor for all diseases, after smoking and poor diet.
Blood Pressure UK further warned that high blood pressure is also a threatening risk factor for kidney diseases and vascular dementia.
The UK-based agency explained that "silent killer" describes high blood pressure best since it often has no symptoms and quietly wrecks the cardiovascular system while becoming a prelude to heart attacks and strokes, among other related internal diseases.
"When your heart beats, it pumps blood around your body to give it the
energy and oxygen it needs. As the blood moves, it pushes against the
sides of the blood vessels. The strength of this pushing is your blood
pressure."
"If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your arteries
and your heart, which can lead to strokes, heart attacks and other health
problems."
Cod Liver Oil As Potent Supplement To Regulate Blood Pressure
From its recent studies, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) reported that omega-3 fish oil supplements lower blood pressure and may be able to relax blood vessels, easing this risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
BHF pointed out its £225,000-funded scientific research regarding diet advice, which zeroed in on the blood pressure effect of fish oil. University of Reading Associate Professor in Cardiovascular Pharmacology Dr. Alister McNeish leading the study on how fish oils activate potassium channel proteins to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
The British health organization underscored the fact that high blood pressure is a central UK heart and circulatory disease risk factor, with more than 27,000 individuals in the said university diagnosed with the disease -- in addition to thousands more living with the undiagnosed condition.
For her part, BFH Senior Research Adviser Subreena Simrick stressed that as high blood pressure is continually correlated to 50% of heart attacks and strokes, the agency is cooperating with fellow researchers to discover new methods to reduce this so-called "silent killer."
Understanding fish oils could lead to new ways to treat high blood pressure, which affects nearly 30% of UK adults, Simrick further added.
"We know that a Mediterranean-style diet with fish can lower your heart attack and stroke risk. Understanding how fish oils improve circulation may lead to new high-blood-pressure treatments. Research projects like this are only made possible by the generous funding of our supporters, who are helping us in our mission to beat heartbreak forever, she also pointed out.
Conclusion:
Health organizations worldwide are uniting to fight high blood pressure, a silent but pervasive threat. WHO, NHS and passionate advocacy groups like Blood Pressure UK are committed to reducing the health risks of hypertension.
Statistics and data show the importance of awareness, early detection, and prevention in the fight against high blood pressure, a silent enemy that affects millions worldwide.
Cod liver oil (CLO) food supplements may help fight high blood pressure in people who pursue holistic health. Omega-3 fatty acid-rich supplements relax blood vessels. This natural mechanism helps maintain optimal, healthy blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension-related heart attacks and strokes.
Research suggests that CLO may help improve cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, are often described as anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory. These health supplements enhance blood flow by dilating blood vessels, reducing cardiovascular strain and high blood pressure risks.
As Norwegian food supplement manufacturers affirm, they produce these high-quality CLO -- fresh and unadulterated -- straight from Norway's pristine waters. CLO is an excellent source of naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids and may help to support healthy blood pressure, arteries, and blood vessels.
This discovery enhances the multifaceted approach needed to combat high blood pressure worldwide. Awareness and early detection are critical to preventive healthcare, but adding natural supplements like cod liver oil to daily routines may help fight the silent threat of hypertension and support cardiovascular health and overall wellness.
Health organizations continue to promote awareness, early intervention, and collaborative solutions, but natural remedies like cod liver oil supplements show how preventive healthcare is changing. These efforts could reduce the immediate health risks of high blood pressure and promote a proactive, informed global cardiovascular well-being strategy.
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