The Thai Disease Control Department warns that at least 13 million Thai people have high blood pressure without knowing it. More than 50% have had this for years and that can have serious consequences.
Hypertension can eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
According to Director General Jedsana, hypertension continues to increase in Thailand. The latest report from 2014 shows that 25 percent of Thai people over the age of 15 suffer from it. Of the 13 million Thai, 44 percent do not realize that their blood pressure is too high.
It is important to treat high blood pressure, as the risk of vascular disease (hardening of the arteries) and serious heart problems is greatly increased in people with hypertension.
High blood pressure is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It can lead to, among other things, a heart attack, stroke, chest pain (angina pectoris) and shop window legs. The constant pressure on the vessels can also damage the organs such as the eyes and kidneys.
Of the 25,2 billion baht spent on the treatment of the five most common non-communicable diseases, 2,4 billion baht goes to the treatment of hypertension. Jedsada advises the population to have their blood pressure checked regularly and, if necessary, treated.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle helps manage the disease. Think of reducing salt consumption and preventing obesity. Medications can lower blood pressure.
Source: Bangkok Post
Doesn't surprise me. When I eat in a Thai restaurant, my mouth almost constricts from the salt! It was once said that the average blood pressure of Asians is much lower than that of Europeans. Maybe when the food there was still healthy.
Eating salt? As far as I can tell (and see what happens in many Thai kitchens) the use of pure granular salt is minimal but the fish sauce is the main culprit (nam pla).
In my opinion, the causes of high blood pressure among the Thai population should also be sought in smoking, alcohol consumption (especially heavy alcoholic drinks), the low level of exercise (the car is by far the favourite; cycling and walking are not popular), the regular taking painkillers and stress (especially about money, accident and relationship problems).
My remedy to prevent high blood pressure is: cook as much as possible YOURSELF and if you buy ready-made food on the market, do not add any nam pla to it. Been a blood donor here in Thailand for over 5 years now. My blood has been checked extra since I turned 60 when I give blood and my blood pressure is always fine.
The Bangkok post could have been a bit more careful with figures.
25% aged 15 and older.
Assuming that young people of 15 years old are unlikely to have high blood pressure, as long as they do not indulge in unhealthy things, this means that the percentage for the elderly is alarmingly high.
The question is, of course, to what extent medicines make people healthier.
Blood pressure will probably go down, but medicines also have side effects, which are often harmful to the body.
For example, for liver and kidneys.
Given the enthusiasm with which medicines are prescribed in Thailand, I do not have the impression that doctors are very aware of this.
By way of comparison: In the Netherlands, more than 31% of the population (source: https://www.volksgezondheidenzorg.info/onderwerp/bloeddruk/cijfers-context/huidige-situatie#methoden) elevated blood pressure (530.000.000 million), but a larger percentage know they have it. And so in Thailand it is 19%! So it doesn't make much difference that our percentage is almost twice as high. The discussion about salt is also funny. One must realize that you need more salt in Thailand due to the much higher perspiration level (climate). Salt is necessary and only increases blood pressure in significant excess.
530.000.000 million is 530 trillion. The Netherlands does not even have that many inhabitants. You probably mean 5,3 million.
I also agree with you that the evil of an unexcessive amount of salt is often exaggerated.
https://www.nemokennislink.nl/publicaties/zout-minder-slecht-dan-gedacht
Only put salt on your food if it tastes bland, not because it's on the table, in short, use common sense.
The number of people put on a 'low-salt' diet in health care facilities because of mildly elevated blood pressure, with questionable results, is huge and the little suffering this causes is great. The meals are often the only thing that people look forward to, and when a juicy sausage lies in front of you that is really impossible to eat, the disappointment is enormous. And a pinch of salt on that boiled egg 2 or 3 times a week, oh, leave those people alone.
This is important. Too often it is said after a (!) measurement that you have too high blood pressure, that happens in Thailand and often in the Netherlands as well.
Blood pressure can vary greatly over the course of a day. If a normal blood pressure is measured, it is OK. If the blood pressure is too high, under favorable conditions, for example after some time of rest, it should be measured at least three more times, but preferably five more times. The lowest measured blood pressure is the real blood pressure. Only if the blood pressure is elevated in all measurements can we speak of 'high blood pressure' as a condition that needs to be treated. In the first six months, this treatment will consist of general measures such as less salt, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc. and not of medication. Only if there is no improvement after six months or if the blood pressure is very high, medication can be prescribed. There must always be a trade-off between the disadvantages of not treating and the disadvantages of taking pills.
If the blood pressure is very high, medication is immediately started.
You are right that a blood pressure measurement is a snapshot. There are people who generally get so tense from doctors that they always have a higher blood pressure during office hours than when they are sitting quietly at home.
For 50 to 100 euros you can buy an excellent digital blood pressure monitor (for example from the Omron brand), even in Thailand, and you can keep an eye on things yourself by taking a measurement at set times.
I agree with you for the most part, but hypertension can also be hereditary, so other causes play a role, I speak from experience, and is probably tied to medication for this until the end of life.