Current status of hypertension care and management in the Philippines.

Ourlad Alzeus G Tantengco, Raymond V Oliva, Jared Gabriel L Dela Rosa, Charlene Divine M Catral, Nico Alexander Reyes, Danna Mae S Opiso, Erika P Ong, Eric David B Ornos, Jerico R Santos, Elgin Paul B Quebral, Maria Llaine J Callanta

Journal: Diabetes & metabolic syndrome 2024;18(4):103008

PMID: 38640838

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

AIMS

In this paper, we discuss the existing data on the burden of hypertension in the Philippines and present the status of management, prevention, and control of hypertension in the country.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted to synthesize the status of hypertension care in the Philippines.

RESULTS

Hypertension continues to contribute to the country's leading causes of death. Similar to the global trend, almost half of hypertensive Filipinos are still not aware of their condition, and only 27 % have it under control. The prevalence of hypertension has steadily increased from 22 % in 1993 to 25.15 % in 2013. The 2020 Philippine Society for Hypertension clinical practice guideline defines hypertension as an office BP of 140/90 mm Hg or above following the proper standard BP measurement. During the past decade, monotherapy has been the mode of treatment in more than 80 % of Filipino patients. This could also explain why the BP control rates have been low. The most prevalent complications of hypertension in the Philippines were stroke (11.6 %), ischemic heart disease (7.7 %), chronic kidney disease (6.30 %), and hypertensive retinopathy (2.30 %). Hypertension causes economic tolls on patients, from the cost of drugs to hospitalization and complications. Hospitalization from hypertensive complications can easily wipe out the savings of middle-class families and is catastrophic for lower-income Filipinos.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we summarize the existing data on the burden of hypertension among Filipinos and the risk factors associated with the disease. We present the current screening tools, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention strategies for hypertension in the Philippines. Lastly, we propose solutions to meet the global targets of hypertension management and help relieve the growing burden of this disease.

Address: College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.; Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila, Philippines.; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila, Philippines; Department of Medicine, University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines.; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila, Philippines; Department of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2024.103008

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Hypertension, Philippines, Disease Management, Antihypertensive Agents, Prevalence, Prognosis