Reducing the Risk of Hypertension

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us ignore various other health problems. In fact, the risks of degenerative diseases are no less serious or life-threatening, especially in big cities.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Hundreds of people exercise in the Bung Karno Stadium area (GBK), Jakarta, Sunday (11/27/2022). After the decline in the Covid-19 case, the GBK area was always crowded by the community to exercise, especially on weekends.

In the last three years, all stakeholders have focused on overcoming the pandemic. We have to be grateful that we can get through difficult times and are now heading toward endemic status. So, efforts to overcome other diseases need to be encouraged again.

One of the diseases that significantly reduces the quality of life and results in death is high blood pressure or hypertension. This disease triggers heart complications, stroke and kidney failure, so it becomes one of the main causes of premature death in Indonesia and the world.

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Health data in Jakarta Province show that hypertension is the number-one risk factor for death and disability for Jakarta residents in 2019 (Kompas, 4/12/2022).

Although related to lifestyle, actually hypertension is also influenced by metabolic factors as well as environmental and occupational conditions. Thus, hypertension does not only threaten the citizens of Jakarta, but also the people of Indonesia.

According to the 2018 Basic Health Research, the prevalence of hypertension in the adult population in Indonesia amounts to 34.11 percent. This means that there are 34 people affected by hypertension in every 100 adults. What is more concerning is the fact that hypertension is now also affecting young people.

IVAN DWI KURNIA PUTRA

Dozens of elderly participants followed swimming therapy at the KONI Youth Center, Gambir, Jakarta, Friday (11/11/2022). This activity is expected to reduce the symptoms of hypertension, diabetes and shape and strengthen all body muscles in the elderly.

The 2016 National Health Indicator Survey showed the increase in the prevalence of hypertension in people aged 18 was 32.4 percent. Health problems at a young age have an impact on productivity, so that we can miss the demographic bonus.

Hypertension is a silent killer, because it is often asymptomatic. Therefore, the best way is to prevent it. There are many explanations of prevention in various media. The bottom line is the same: adopt a healthy lifestyle, maintain your weight and eat a healthy diet that limits consumption of fat, sugar, salt, carbohydrates and increases fiber from vegetables and fruit. Regular exercise, enough sleep, managing stress and not smoking are among other requirements.

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The problem is that during the pandemic, activities are limited and many "forget" to move. In fact, lack of movement increases the risk of stroke. According to the University of San Diego Study (JAMA Network Open, 3/6/2022), people who are sedentary 13 hours or more per day have a 44 percent higher risk of stroke.

On a micro scale, personal awareness of healthy living is indeed the key to preventing hypertension, stroke and all other health impacts. However, on a macro scale, it is the government's responsibility to build healthy behavior among its citizens. Many things can be done, from campaigns for eating healthy food to facilitating sports activities on a local to national scale, increasing the availability of sports fields and initiating matches among residents that are regular as well as lively.

It is the job of the Youth and Sports Ministry, which needs to be accomplished.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.