New Delhi [India], According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated more than 294 million people in South-East Asia suffer from high blood pressure. Saima Wajed, Regional Director for South-East Asia, emphasized this on the occasion of World Hypertension Day. Efforts to prevent and control hypertension need to be further strengthened to meet global and national goals. In the words of the World Hypertension League (WHL), hypertension is 'a driving force in the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the leading risk factor for death and disability globally. World High Blood Pressure Day, launched by the WHL in 2005, aims to raise awareness of this "silent killer" and inspire global action to combat high blood pressure.This year's theme is a call to "Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer". Nevertheless, efforts to prevent and control hypertension need to be further strengthened to meet global and national goals, including those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. SDGs) and SeaHearts Milestones "On World Hypertension Day 2024, let us confront this silent killer, inspiring everyone to 'Measure your blood pressure accurately, control it, live longer'," He stressed that high intake of salt, tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, stress and air pollution are the major risk factors for the increased prevalence of hypertension "Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work to be done to meet the global and national targets of high blood pressure. There is a need to further strengthen efforts to prevent and control hypertension, including the goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SeaHearts milestones, he said, further emphasizing that Advocates action in areas.''First, to reduce the risk factors of hypertension by implementing the WHO Technical Package for tobacco control, salt reduction, elimination. Trans-fatty acids promote physical activity and reduce air pollution," they said in a statement. Second, within primary health care by strengthening the interventions outlined in the WHO Hearts and WH package of essential non-communicable disease interventions. Accelerating coverage and management of hypertension, he said. The third key area is to establish and regularly monitor national targets and indicators for hypertension, to enhance accountability and track progress towards CIHEARTs milestones. The fourth key area is to ensure convergence of hypertension prevention and management services with other national programs including maternal and child health., tuberculosis, and HIV programs, said the regional director. Finally, the fifth key area is to empower communities and individuals to self-manage hypertension, including low-sodium diets, reducing tobacco and alcohol use, regular physical activity, and periodic blood pressure assessments. Additionally, early detection and control has been highlighted. are important, Vaze stressed that among adults with high blood pressure, half are unaware they have it, about 1 in 6 have blood pressure not under control, which, if uncontrolled, can lead to heart attacks, strokes. , can lead to kidney failure, early death. He added. Furthermore, limited access to affordable health services for hypertension is a major cause of low universal service coverage index for most countries in our region and affects access to quality health services.The South-East Asian region has identified hypertension prevention and control as one of its priorities, Wazed said, adding, “SeaHearts is accelerating the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases in the South-East Asia region” in the 76th region. is an initiative supported by. In 2023, the committee said it could be the world's largest expansion of cardiovascular disease prevention and control in primary health care "'Dhaka Call to Action - Accelerating the control of cardiovascular disease in a quarter of the world's population' How to achieve this goal It provides guidance on how to achieve the CHEARTs milestone of putting 100 million people with hypertension and diabetes on protocol-based management by 2025,” she said. Countries in the region are implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce associated risk factors. Trends have indicated a decline in tobacco use and exposure to household air pollution.Notably, four countries have introduced measures to eliminate trans-fatty acids from their national diets. Food supply chain. He said the two countries have implemented standards for labeling and marketing to give consumers the information they need to make healthy dietary choices. In addition, many countries have established national goals to improve hypertension and diabetes management within primary health care settings "These efforts include revising evidence-based clinical protocols to align with the WHO Hearts Technical Package. , including introducing team-based care approaches, increasing the availability and access of essential medicines and equipment,'' Wazed said, specifically addressing the more than 24 million individuals suffering from hypertension within public health facilities across the region. He further emphasized that improving hypertension prevention and control should be an integral part of every country's journey towards universality.Health coverage “Not only could potentially save countless lives, it also delivers significant economic benefits and drives progress toward SDG goals,” he said.