Controlling hypertension in Turkey: not a hopeless dream

Abstract

Despite major progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment during the recent decades, hypertension remains the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality throughout the world. The prevalence of hypertension in developing countries continues to rise reaching alarming rates. Several risk factors of hypertension appear to be more common in developing countries than in developed countries. In Turkey, hypertension is a prevalent condition affecting approximately 22.5 million individuals. Hypertension control (defined as blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg) rate increased from 8.1% in 2003 (first Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Turkey (PatenT) study) to 28.7% in 2012 (PatenT 2 study). Meanwhile, rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remained high in Turkey. Controlling risk factors such as hypertension, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and physical inactivity can prevent most of the deaths from cardiovascular disease. It is also crucial for the public health system to have a hypertension education program aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease and prevention and control of hypertension promoting a healthy lifestyle in Turkey. Such a program could positively affect other lifestyle-related diseases as well. Importantly, cooperation among the components of the health system could contribute to improved outcomes in hypertensive populations.

Would Anti-Hypertensive Treatment be a Risk Factor for National Health Budget of Turkey in 2023?

“…In contrast, this study yields the prevalence of hypertension as 9.3% for Turkey [5,6]. Such a dramatic difference can be attributed to the size and demographics of the study cohort.…”

“…As for Turkey, cardiovascular diseases and particularly hypertension also stand for the most frequently encountered reason of morbidity and mortality in adults [5]. Epidemiological research in Turkey shows that the ratio of hypertensive patients was around 31.8% in early 2000s.…”

Karşıyaka Prevalance and Awareness of Hypertension Study (KARHIP)

“…Regional differences were also found in national studies. In PATENT 2012 cohort, Southeastern Anatolian region was the one with lowest hypertension prevalence rates (22.2%), whereas this rate was 29.5% in Aegean region and 38.7% in the Eastern Blacksea Region [5]. In 2011 Turkey Chronic Diseases and Risk Factor Prevalance survey, again the Southeastern Anatolian region was the one with the lowest hypertension prevalance (16%) and the West Marmara region had the highest prevalence rate (35%) [10].…”

“…Turkish Hypertension Prevalence Studies have been conducted by Turkish Hypertension and Renal Diseases Association to assess current prevalence, distrubution, awareness, treatment and control rates comprehensively in our country. Demographic data, life style properties and accompanying risc factors are also investigated in this nationwide studies [4,5].…”

“…Turkish Hypertension Prevalence Studies have been conducted by Turkish Hypertension and Renal Diseases Association to assess current prevalence, distrubution, awareness, treatment and control rates comprehensively in our country. Demographic data, life style properties and accompanying risc factors are also investigated in this nationwide studies [4,5].The Karşıyaka Hypertension Prevalence and Awareness Study (KARHIP) was planned to assess potential differences in hypertension prevalence and hypertension related demographic * Corresponding author. E-mail: nihatpekel@gmail.com Abstract Background: The study was planned to assess potential differences in hypertension prevalance and hypertension related demographic properties in an urban area with relatively higher income and cultural population compared to the national average.…”