On 12/10, Tang Chi Thuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, announced the preliminary analysis results from the city-wide health check-up data. These findings help the health sector identify priority health issues, thereby guiding early detection and disease management activities within the community.

Specifically, out of 663,306 individuals aged 60 and above with analyzed data, 339,371 people (accounting for 51,16%) were recorded with information related to high blood pressure. This information included medical history, elevated blood pressure readings at the time of examination, or a preliminary diagnosis.

In the younger age group (18-59 years old), the rate of recorded factors related to high blood pressure was 18,75%, corresponding to 440,342 individuals out of over 2.34 million analyzed. Across all residents aged 18 and above, nearly 780,000 people (accounting for 25,89% of over 3 million people) were recorded with information related to high blood pressure.

In Vietnam, aggregated surveys from the 2017-2023 period involving over 67,000 adults show a high blood pressure prevalence rate of over 30%. The national STEPS survey in 2021 also recorded a high blood pressure rate of 55,26% in the 55-64 age group.

Blood pressure measurement for residents at a health station in Ho Chi Minh City during the free city-wide health check-up program. *Photo: Quynh Tran*

However, Mr. Thuong noted that the 51,16% rate does not represent the overall prevalence of high blood pressure in Ho Chi Minh City's entire elderly population. This result is based on the group with data available for analysis, including individuals with a medical history, those with elevated blood pressure readings at the time of examination, and those with a preliminary diagnosis. Cases not yet officially diagnosed need further blood pressure measurement, examination, and assessment according to professional guidelines.

"This rate in the group aged 60 and above is significantly higher than in the 18-59 age group, which reinforces the importance of early detection and management of high blood pressure in older adults," a representative from the Department of Health stated.

High blood pressure is a condition where systolic blood pressure is consistently 140 mmHg or higher, or diastolic blood pressure is consistently 90 mmHg or higher, or when a patient is receiving blood pressure lowering medication. This is a chronic condition that can progress silently, with many affected individuals showing no clear symptoms until blood pressure becomes dangerously high. If not detected, treated, and controlled consistently, high blood pressure can lead to severe complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, kidney failure, and more.

The city's health sector is continuing to leverage data to identify individuals at high risk or with suspected signs of high blood pressure who have not yet received an official diagnosis. Concurrently, health stations will collaborate with hospitals to monitor and manage patients in the community, supporting blood pressure control and reducing complications.

Ho Chi Minh City is implementing a city-wide health check-up program, aiming to provide at least one free check-up to 100% of its residents, including temporary residents, by 2026. To date, the city has recorded over 6 million health check-ups, with over 5.37 million individuals having electronic health records. On 10/10, the health sector announced initial data analyses from these check-ups, noting that nearly 31% of the group over 40 years old faced a high or very high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Le Phuong