35,000 diagnosed with hypertension

ILOILO CITY — The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) has called on the public to monitor their blood pressure regularly as hypertension continues to be a major public health concern in the region.

In the first quarter of this year, 35,604 individuals aged 20 and above were diagnosed with hypertension across Western Visayas. This figure represents 16.73 percent of those screened, the DOH-6 said.

In 2024, the region logged a total of 274,799 adult hypertensive cases, or 17.21 percent of those screened.

Dr. Aimee Marie Gayomali, head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster of DOH-6, said hypertension is in the top 5 causes of mortality and morbidity in the region.

"All adults, especially those over 40 or with a family history of hypertension, [should] monitor their blood pressure regularly," she said.

"Public health centers offer free blood pressure checks, medical consultations, and maintenance medications under the DOH Hypertension and Diabetes Club program," she added.

With the region experiencing dangerous heat index levels in recent weeks, Gayomali cautioned that even young people are vulnerable to hypertensive complications, especially those unaware of their condition.

"If the temperature is high, there is a high chance that our blood pressure will be high. In which, not only the nonhypertensive are affected, but also the young people who are not yet aware that they are hypertensive," she said.

She emphasized that screening should begin as early as age 20, especially for those with risk factors such as family history, poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption.

Gayomali also noted a concerning rise in hypertension risk among children, citing sedentary lifestyles and excessive consumption of fast food and sugary snacks as contributing factors.