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The Periodical First Issue, May 2002
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The Issue Of Hypertension In Saudi Arabia
Hypertension is the most common risk that is associated with stroke. Around
50-60% of patients developing stroke are hypertensive. It was found in
different studies that lowering blood pressure is the most important measure
to prevent stroke. The
UK-TIA aspirin trial
(1991)
showed that a reduction of systolic blood pressure by 10 mmHg or
reduction of diastolic blood pressure by 5 mmHg decreased stroke by 34%
The prevalence of hypertension in Saudi Arabia ranges from 10 to
25%.
The following statistics are from different portions of the
kingdom:
In Riyadh
From the above study we can see that almost one fourth of Riyadh city people
are unaware of their high blood pressure, and also we can note that those
with higher social class are prone to hypertension. What is worrying is that
one third of those with hypertension are not controlled, a situation make
them prone to get stroke
In Al-Qassim Area
Hypertension in the Adult Population of Gassim:
Males 25.7%, Females 22.1%
Soyannwo MA., 1998
It seems that people living in Al-Qassim area have
tendency to have more hypertension when compared to Riyadh, based on the data
above.
In The South
People living in the South of Saudi Arabia has a tendency to have a lower
blood pressure, this can be attributed to the climate and diet, but what is
worrying is the large number of hypertensives who are not controlled.
In Tabuk
The above study from Tabuk showed that half of patients with hypertension
are compliant with treatment. The identified the reasons for the poor
compliance were older females, lack of hypertension symptoms,
medication side effects and drug shortage
Dr Waleed Khoja