Jakarta, IO – Hypertension is a risk factor for such catastrophic conditions as heart disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease, all global health problems. Research in 15 developing countries, including Indonesia, revealed that the cost burden of hypertension is recorded at USD 1497.36 per person, per year. In Indonesia, Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Health) data shows that the biggest claim in 2023 for heart disease was IDR 17.63 trillion, an increase over the IDR 12.1 trillion set in 2022. Of the 23 million National Health Insurance (JKN) participants who have undergone health history screening, 8% are at risk of hypertension.
“Untreated hypertension will cause damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys. Health costs will shoot up if problems occur in all three organs at once. Prevention is one appropriate step to take, so that patients can stay healthy, be productive, and do not impose a financial burden on families, society, and the country,” said dr. BRM Ario Soeryo Kuncoro, Sp.JP(K), Chairman of the Committee for the 18th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Society of Hypertension (InaSH) 2024, in a media meeting held Friday (23/2/2024).
The risk of developing hypertension rises with age, and is linked to race or ethnicity. Asian ethnicities are known to be sensitive to salt, which can cause hypertension. Considering the heart organ, hypertension is a major contributor to heart attacks and heart failure, the prime cause of death in the cardiovascular sector.
“From real-world data on heart attack patients in Indonesia, 51% suffer from hypertension, with additional data showing 65% are active smokers and 27% suffer from diabetes; 83.5% were men with a mean patient age of 57 years, a figure 7 years younger than patients in Europe; 11.7% die in hospital. Before it’s too late, modify your lifestyle and take medication regularly to control blood pressure and prevent organ damage,” explained dr. Siska Suridanda Danny, Sp.JP(K), FIHA, consultant cardiologist cardiovascular intensivist and interventional cardiologist from Heartology Brawijaya Saharjo, Jakarta.
Whitecoat Hypertension
In dealing with organ damage resulting from hypertension, prevention is always better than cure. As mentioned by dr. Erwinanto, Sp. JP(K), FIHA, Chairman of the InaSH, to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension, checking blood pressure at a clinic repeatedly during a single visit: one check is not enough. Blood pressure checks are carried out 3 times sequentially, with a break of 1-2 minutes, using Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM).
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“We have to be aware of our blood pressure today. There are individuals whose blood pressure rises when they check their blood pressure at the clinic, known as white coat hypertension. Therefore, it is also best to measure blood pressure at home, using Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM), for at least 7 days every morning and evening, especially for those at risk. Record the numbers, ignore the results on the first day, then average them. This data can be compared with the results of blood pressure measurements in the clinic with ABPM. A diagnosis of hypertension is made if blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg or more,” he said. (est)