Controlling hypertension in Turkey: not a hopeless dream

Despite major progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment during the recent decades, hypertension remains the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality throughout the world. The prevalence of hypertension in developing countries continues to rise reaching alarming rates. Several risk factors of hypertension appear to be more common in developing countries than in developed countries. In Turkey, hypertension is a prevalent condition affecting approximately 22.5 million individuals. Hypertension control (defined as blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg) rate increased from 8.1% in 2003 (first Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Turkey (PatenT) study) to 28.7% in 2012 (PatenT 2 study). Meanwhile, rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remained high in Turkey. Controlling risk factors such as hypertension, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and physical inactivity can prevent most of the deaths from cardiovascular disease. It is also crucial for the public health system to have a hypertension education program aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease and prevention and control of hypertension promoting a healthy lifestyle in Turkey. Such a program could positively affect other lifestyle-related diseases as well. Importantly, cooperation among the components of the health system could contribute to improved outcomes in hypertensive populations.