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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Health and Wellness devider 3 reasons why it's important to monitor blood pressure daily

3 reasons why it's important to monitor blood pressure daily

The Philippine Society of Hypertension spearheads this year's MMM23 campaign alongside Omron Healthcare and the Department of Health

Published May 17, 2023 01:36 pm
(Image from Unsplash)
In an effort to raise awareness about hypertension, the Philippine Society of Hypertension (PSH) officially launched this year's May Measure Month 2023 (MMM23) campaign alongside Omron Healthcare and the Department of Health (DOH). This campaign is designed to encourage Filipinos to get their blood pressure screened with Omron’s clinically validated blood pressure monitoring (BPM) available in select locations.  It will also teach people about proper blood pressure monitoring to enable them to monitor their blood pressure accurately in the comfort of their own homes. This goal of raising awareness about proper blood pressure monitoring and promoting better health has been at the core of the MMM campaign since it started in 2017. With that being said, here are three important reasons why Filipinos should adhere to the call of this campaign: 

Hypertension is the leading cause of death in the Philippines

 It’s no secret that the intense heat this summer can cause illnesses, prompting everyone to take extra caution and look after their health. More people are realizing that besides heat stroke, the heat wave can pose greater risks to those with hypertension, heart ailments, and other conditions. The incidence of hypertension alone, which remains a leading cause of death in the Philippines, continues to rise, with deaths linked to it hitting 34,500 in 2020. Cardiovascular diseases, meanwhile, account for a third of deaths in the country, according to the World Health Organization.  The guide to taking accurate blood pressure at home 

Growing cases among young people

 There’s some misconception that hypertension is only prevalent among adults, but that’s not true. In fact, based on a study, one in every seven Filipino young adults in the Philippines are hypertensive.  Meanwhile, during the MMM 2023 media launch held last May 17, 2023 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Dr. Dolores D. Bonzon, president of the PSH told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, that as a pediatrician, she saw a child as young as five years old who is hypertensive.  “Usually the younger they are, it is highly probable that there is a cause,” she said. “We distinguished between primary or secondary hypertension. Secondary has an identifiable cause, while primary, it runs in the family. Or maybe the child is obese or overweight.” 

Monitoring save lives

 Keeping track of one’s blood pressure is important in ensuring a healthy heart. Lack of awareness about hypertension and its risks and poor compliance with correct health practices, including inadequate blood pressure control, are just some of the factors behind the continued rise in hypertension cases in the country.  "May Measure Month is an opportunity and a reminder for Filipinos to take charge of their health not just this summer but every day,” Bonzon said. “We also hope it will encourage more Filipinos to learn more about the risks associated with hypertension. We want to raise awareness and promote new methods to spread awareness about this silent killer and help people make lifestyle changes that can lead to better heart health.”  *For more information on MMM2023, click* [*here*](http://www.maymeasure.org)*.* 

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