Core Insights - The incidence of stroke in China continues to rise, with no sign of a turning point, indicating a growing healthcare burden related to cerebrovascular diseases [2] - High blood pressure remains the primary risk factor for stroke, with nearly 80% prevalence among high-risk groups, necessitating increased awareness and screening efforts [4][5] - The government aims to improve hypertension awareness among citizens aged 30 and above to 65% by 2030, emphasizing the importance of regular blood pressure checks [4][5] Group 1: Stroke Prevention and Management - Over the past 14 years, more than 17 million individuals have undergone stroke screening and intervention in China [1][4] - The number of hospitalized stroke patients is increasing, reflecting both a growing workload for healthcare professionals and an aging population [2] - The government plans to ensure that by 2025, at least one secondary hospital in cities and counties with populations over 300,000 will routinely perform intravenous thrombolysis and thrombectomy [3] Group 2: Risk Factors and Public Awareness - High blood pressure is identified as the leading cause of stroke, with other contributing factors including dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and lifestyle choices [4][6] - There is a concerning trend of low awareness regarding hypertension, particularly among younger populations, highlighting the need for enhanced health education [5] - Weight management should begin at age 20, as it is crucial for reducing the risk of diabetes and stroke later in life [6][7]

Core Insights - The article highlights the increasing health risks associated with hypertension due to the cold weather affecting northern China, particularly for vulnerable populations [1][2] Group 1: Health Risks and Vulnerable Populations - Cold weather can lead to increased sympathetic nervous system activity, resulting in elevated blood pressure and heart rate, thereby exacerbating cardiovascular burdens [1] - Eight categories of individuals are identified as more susceptible to hypertension, including those with a family history of hypertension, the elderly, individuals with high salt diets, obese individuals (BMI over 28), those under chronic stress, heavy drinkers, diabetes patients (60% of whom may also have hypertension), and those with sleep apnea [1] Group 2: Management and Prevention Strategies - The Beijing CDC recommends that residents aged 35 and above measure their blood pressure at least once a year for early detection and treatment of hypertension [2] - Hypertensive patients on medication should adhere to prescribed treatments and avoid discontinuing medication without medical advice [2] - Non-pharmacological interventions, such as dietary changes and regular exercise, are essential for controlling blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular disease risks [2] - Dietary recommendations include limiting sodium intake to 2 grams per day and incorporating a variety of foods rich in potassium, dietary fiber, whole grains, and quality proteins while reducing saturated fats and sugars [2] - Regular moderate-intensity exercise can lower blood pressure by 5-7 mmHg, with recommendations for at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity 5-7 times a week [2]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the serious situation of hypertension in China, with approximately 29% of adults aged 30 to 79 affected, highlighting the need for awareness and prevention strategies [1] Group 1: Relationship Between Weight and Hypertension - Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypertension, particularly abdominal obesity, which is defined as a waist circumference of ≥90 cm for men and ≥85 cm for women [3] - The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to categorize weight, with a BMI increase of 5 leading to a 49% increase in hypertension risk [1][3] Group 2: Health Risks Associated with Hypertension - Hypertension is a core risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, leading to conditions such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke due to long-term elevated blood pressure [4] - Many patients, like Mr. Liu, underestimate their symptoms and neglect medication, which can lead to severe health consequences [4] Group 3: Treatment and Management of Hypertension - Early control of hypertension reduces cardiovascular burden, with medication and potential interventional treatments being options for patients with poor response to medication [6] - Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for managing hypertension, and patients may consider reducing or stopping medication under medical guidance if lifestyle changes stabilize their blood pressure [6]

Core Insights - The prevalence of hypertension among Chinese adults has been steadily increasing, with a rate of 31.6% reported for 2021-2022, an increase of 8.4% compared to 2012-2015 [1] - There are significant regional disparities in hypertension prevalence, with higher rates observed in the western and northern regions compared to the eastern and southern areas [4][5] - Economic factors play a crucial role in hypertension management, with poorer regions showing significantly higher risks of undiagnosed, untreated, and uncontrolled hypertension compared to wealthier areas [10] Regional Disparities - The western region has the highest hypertension prevalence at 32.9% in 2019, while the eastern and central regions have lower rates [5] - Northern regions exhibit higher prevalence than southern regions, attributed to dietary habits favoring salt intake [5] - Urban areas show better awareness, treatment, and control rates for hypertension compared to rural areas, with urban control rates at approximately 31% versus 26% in rural areas as of 2015 [8] Contributing Factors - Dietary culture significantly influences hypertension rates, with high salt consumption prevalent in northern and western diets [12] - The dual burden of hypertension and obesity is shifting from urban to rural areas, particularly among young males [12] - Access to medical services is a critical factor, with urban residents having better access to monitoring and treatment compared to those in rural and low-income areas [12] Environmental and Nutritional Influences - Environmental factors, such as selenium levels, impact hypertension risk, with low selenium areas showing a reduced risk when dietary selenium is adequate [14] - The interaction between environmental trace elements and blood pressure control adds complexity to regional disparities [14] Recommendations for Hypertension Management - In high-prevalence areas, reducing salt intake is essential, with strategies including promoting low-sodium salt and reducing pickled food consumption [16] - Increasing blood pressure screening coverage in rural and low-income areas is crucial, with recommendations for individuals over 35 to measure blood pressure annually [16] - For young populations, early attention to blood pressure changes and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are vital to prevent early onset hypertension [16]

Core Viewpoint - The World Health Organization (WHO) report indicates that in 2024, the hypertension prevalence among Chinese adults aged 30-79 is 29%, which is lower than the global average, but still represents approximately 271.5 million individuals suffering from hypertension in China. The control rate of hypertension in China is only 18%, significantly below the WHO's target of 50% [1][3][7]. Group 1: Hypertension Prevalence and Control - In 2024, approximately 29% of Chinese adults aged 30-79 are affected by hypertension, equating to about 271.5 million individuals [1][7]. - The control rate of hypertension in China is only 18%, with over 40% of patients unaware of their condition and more than 50% not receiving treatment [1][3][7]. - Globally, only slightly over 20% of hypertension patients are effectively controlled through medication or health interventions [4]. Group 2: Global Context and Economic Impact - Hypertension is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and dementia, with an estimated economic loss of $3.7 trillion in low- and middle-income countries from 2011 to 2025 due to cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension [3][4]. - The WHO estimates that if no action is taken, the number of global hypertension patients could exceed 1.5 billion by 2030, but improving control rates to 50% could prevent 76 million deaths by 2050 and save hundreds of billions in healthcare costs annually [3][4]. Group 3: Treatment and Policy Recommendations - The WHO emphasizes the importance of antihypertensive medications as one of the most cost-effective public health tools, recommending the use of combination therapies [5][6]. - There is a significant disparity in the availability of recommended medications between low-income and high-income countries, with only 28% of low-income countries reporting universal access to WHO-recommended drugs [6]. - The report calls for improved drug regulatory systems, pricing and payment systems, and supply chain management to enhance access to hypertension medications [6]. Group 4: China's Initiatives and Recognition - China's experience in hypertension management has been recognized by the WHO, particularly its focus on community-based strategies and effective policies for cardiovascular disease prevention [2][7]. - Recent projects in rural areas, such as the "Hypertension Control Promotion" initiative in Changtu County, have shown promising results, with over 5,000 patients actively receiving treatment and a significant percentage achieving controlled blood pressure [8]. - The Chinese government aims to increase the hypertension control rate to over 70% by 2030, with ongoing efforts to enhance medication accessibility and management services for hypertension patients [9].