High blood pressure the culprit in 2 out of 3 heart attacks and strokes in the Asia-Pacific
The team behind the new research, the Asia-Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration (APCSC), uncovers evidence about the determinants of stroke, coronary heart disease, and other common causes of death in Asia-Pacific populations. For this particular piece of research, the APCSC aimed to identify the role of hypertension in cardiovascular diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. It found that high blood pressure was the key factor in more than half of cases.
The APCSC reported that the fraction of deaths after stroke that were attributable to hypertension reaches up to over 60% in certain countries (Indonesia and Mongolia). High levels were also found in Malaysia, China, Philippines, Hong Kong (over 50%), New Zealand and Australia (both around 30%). The study also showed high blood pressure is responsible for a high percentage of deaths caused by heart disease in Mongolia and China at around 30%. The new data highlights the potential reduction in deaths from heart disease and stroke that could be achieved if high blood pressure were controlled in this region.
Low and middle income countries such as China and India account for 80% of global cardiovascular-related deaths and 87% of cardiovascular related disabilities; overall, around half of the world’s burden of cardiovascular disease is carried by low and middle income countries in the region. The findings, recently published in the Journal of Hypertension, are based on hypertension data from more than half a million adult participants. The investigation was also able to attain precise estimates for women in the region, confirming that hypertension is as risky for women as men.
The APCSC, the largest-ever partnership and study of cardiovascular disease in the Asian region, indicated that priority needs in the region should include population-based strategies to prevent or reduce high blood pressure, as well as prevention and treatment of the condition in individuals. Dr Alexandra Martiniuk, author and Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute for International Health (part of the APCSC Secretariat) said, "Salt for example, is one of the leading causes of high blood pressure in the area. Salt consumption in China, particularly Northern China, is among the highest in the world. Efforts to restrict its addition to food and as a storage medium in parts of Asia would help in reducing its role in high blood pressure."
This APCSC research project was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia and an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc.