Lifestyle, stress, diet, age and genetics are major contributing factors to the prevalence of hypertension among Filipinos, a medical expert said Thursday during Hypertension Awareness Month.

Dr. Alejandro Diaz, a vascular and stroke neurologist, pointed to Filipinos’ fondness for salt-rich foods as a significant driver of high blood pressure.

However, Diaz stressed that a hypertension diagnosis is not a life sentence and can be managed with early detection and proper medical care.

“It is highly treatable and preventable. It can be controlled as long as it’s early detection, and it is strongly recommended for hypertension patients to seek a doctor’s advice since we have cases of resistant hypertension,” Diaz said.

Resistant hypertension, as defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine, is when high blood pressure doesn’t respond well to treatment despite using at least three different blood pressure medications at maximum doses.

The Philippine Society of Hypertension has also highlighted hypertension’s significant role in the country’s leading causes of death, contributing to cardiovascular diseases, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and even blindness.

Diaz cited a concerning trend of young adults, including teenagers, becoming more susceptible to hypertension and experiencing strokes, a condition strongly linked to high blood pressure.

To ensure accurate blood pressure tracking, especially during Hypertension Awareness Month in May, physicians stressed the correct use of digital blood pressure monitors.

“Don’t take your blood pressure right away. Rest for five minutes first, sit properly, make sure you don’t need to urinate, and that you haven’t had coffee. Stay calm and quiet, then take your blood pressure two to three times — this will give you a more accurate reading,” Diaz said.

He also debunked the common misconception that higher blood pressure is normal for older individuals.

“Just because you’re old doesn’t mean it’s normal for your blood pressure to be at 160 — that’s not true. Even if you’re 80 or 85 years old, it’s still better to maintain a lower blood pressure, similar to that of younger people,” Diaz said.

Patients with hypertension are advised to seek medical attention monthly or at least every three months until their blood pressure stabilizes.

A 2024 study published by the National Library of Medicine indicated that 69.1 percent of older Filipinos have hypertension, but only 61.6 percent are aware of their condition.