A doctor provides free checkup for people with high blood pressure. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi(VNA) – Healthcare units, especially at local level, should frequently checkblood pressure for people aged above 18 to early notice risks of hypertension,which is dubbed “the silent killer”, said the health minister.
Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien made the statement during a ceremony to mark WorldHypertension Day (May 17) in Phu Linh Commune, Soc Son district, Hanoi on May13.
Tien saidapproximately 12 million Vietnamese adults, or about one of every five people,are living with high blood pressure. Hypertension is the leading cause ofstroke and heart attack which lead to death, paralysis and other disabilitiesand daily living problems, she noted.
The number of people with high blood pressure inVietnam has rapidly grown as a consequence of unhealthy diet, exercisenegligence and consumption of tobacco and alcohol, the minister noted.
She urged the healthcare sector to coordinate withrelevant state agencies in developing policies and regulations to control thedisease-related risks and promote a healthy lifestyle among the people.
In addition, local authorities should designprogrammes for the prevention of high blood pressure and acceleratecommunications campaigns to raise public awareness on the issue.
Arepresentative from the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggested that theGovernment of Vietnam and local authorities should support people to lead ahealthy lifestyle, for example, by creating a smoke free environment andensuring safe and clean foods.
Makingregular blood pressure check is the simplest way to early spot hypertension,especially for people aged above 40, the Ministry of Health advised.
The VietnamNational Heart Institute took the occasion to provide medical checkups andconsultation for the locals at Phu Linh commune.-VNA
VNA
