Associate Professor, Doctor Tran Hoa, Secretary General of the Vietnam Atherosclerosis Sub-Association and Deputy Head of the Interventional Cardiology Department at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, likened "hypertension patients to carrying a ticking bomb, unaware of when an event might occur." He made this statement at a scientific and technical conference organized by An Binh Hospital on 17/10.
Statistics indicate that about 30% of adults aged 30 to 79 suffer from hypertension. Despite this, only about 13% of treated patients achieve target blood pressure. This means only one or two out of every 10 hypertension patients in Vietnam reach safe levels, leaving most still facing a risk of complications.
According to Associate Professor Hoa, a primary reason for this inadequate control is that patients stop medication once their blood pressure stabilizes or symptoms disappear. Hypertension often progresses silently, allowing blood pressure to rise again unnoticed. Even individuals who have taken medication for many years remain at risk of cardiovascular events if they discontinue treatment.
Effective disease control requires cooperation among doctors, patients, and their families. Patients must take medication as prescribed and attend regular follow-ups to assess treatment effectiveness and adjust the regimen when necessary.
 |
Patients are recommended to use an upper-arm electronic blood pressure monitor. Photo: Quynh Tran |
The 2026 hypertension treatment recommendations from the Vietnam Society of Cardiology's Hypertension Sub-Association emphasize the importance of home blood pressure monitoring, in addition to clinic measurements. This helps detect nocturnal or early morning blood pressure surges. Some individuals have normal daytime readings but experience no drop in blood pressure during sleep, which increases their risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications.
Patients should use an upper-arm electronic blood pressure monitor, rest for more than 10 minutes before measuring, and take readings in the morning and evening. Each session should include two measurements, taken one minute apart, with results recorded for their doctor. It is crucial not to stop or adjust medication independently when blood pressure appears to return to normal.
Beyond medication, patients need to adopt lifestyle changes: reducing salt intake, eating more vegetables and fruits, exercising regularly, controlling weight, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking. Vietnamese people consume about 10 g of salt daily, nearly double the World Health Organization's recommendation of under 5 g. High salt intake is a significant factor contributing to hypertension.
Doctor Hoa states that treatment should be based on blood pressure levels, cardiovascular risk, and co-existing conditions such as chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or a history of stroke. Many cases require early combination therapy to achieve blood pressure targets, rather than prolonging ineffective single drug regimens.
The Vietnam Heart Association's 50/30 Charter sets a goal for 50% of diagnosed hypertension patients to achieve target blood pressure control by 2030, aiming for 70% by 2050. Achieving this objective requires early detection, correct treatment, and sustained patient monitoring and adherence to long-term therapy.
Le Phuong
