A recent study has shown that only half of the individuals diagnosed with hypertension in South Korea are effectively managing their blood pressure.
On Friday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) emphasized the importance of regular exercise, reducing salt intake, frequent blood pressure monitoring, and consistent medication adherence in preventing hypertension-related diseases ahead of World Hypertension Day on May 17.
Hypertension, defined as a persistent condition where systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher, or diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or above, ranks as the eighth leading cause of death in the country and is considered a major chronic health issue.
Hypertension-related conditions include essential hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, hypertensive kidney disease, and secondary hypertension.
Often called the silent killer, hypertension typically presents few initial symptoms, leading to delayed detection. If left unchecked, it can cause long-term vascular damage, potentially resulting in serious complications such as stroke, heart disease, kidney problems, eye disorders, and various vascular diseases.
The KDCA’s latest survey indicates that in 2024, the prevalence of hypertension among adults aged 19 and older is projected to be 26.3% for men and 17.7% for women. These figures represent increases of 2.9 and 1.2 percentage points for men and women, respectively, compared to 2023.
Age-adjusted rates of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control from 2022 to 2024 showed improvements of 4.5, 6.0, and 8.0 percentage points, respectively, when compared to the 2019-2021 period.
Despite these improvements, nearly half of those diagnosed with hypertension in South Korea still struggle to maintain their blood pressure within healthy limits, underscoring the need for enhanced management strategies.
To address this issue, the KDCA stressed the importance of regular physical activity, reducing sodium intake, frequent blood pressure checks, and strict adherence to prescribed medications.
In a collaborative effort with the Korean Society of Hypertension, the KDCA plans to launch a nationwide blood pressure measurement campaign called K-MMM26, running through July 31. Local governments will also offer blood pressure screenings and health counseling sessions to raise awareness about the critical nature of blood pressure management.
The KDCA advises individuals with hypertension to schedule regular check-ups with healthcare providers to assess their blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors, and to work with specialists to establish and maintain target blood pressure levels.