To study this question, a team from the George Institute for Global Health and UNSW (Sydney) looked at epidemiological data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The study included data from 204 countries, including Australia, and was associated with about 400 diseases. 87 risk factors.

Data from 1990 to 2019 were used to determine the main risk factors for all causes of death and cardiovascular disease mortality.

Analysis of the data found that the contribution of hypertension to deaths decreased from about 54% to 44%.

However, it remained the greatest risk factor for both all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related death.

Other major factors included diet and smoking.

There were also differences by age and gender. Specifically, high blood pressure contributed more to stroke deaths among men aged 25 to 49 than in other groups.

Dr. Hoang Nguyen, a board-certified interventional cardiac specialist at Memorial Care Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, who was not involved in the study, said the importance of accurately assessing blood pressure emphasized.

“Ironically, blood pressure readings in the doctor’s office are often inaccurate; the stress of being in the doctor’s office and the stress of getting there can falsely raise your blood pressure,” he explained. .

“Blood pressure should be measured while sitting in a chair with legs uncrossed and at rest (patient should relax for 5 minutes),” Nguyen added. “An arm cuff should be used to measure blood pressure, not a wrist cuff.”

She also advises people to measure their blood pressure at home, keep a record and share it with their doctor.

“Once high blood pressure is identified, you can make lifestyle changes such as regular exercise to lower your blood pressure,” he said.

Nguyen said losing weight can also help lower blood pressure, which may eliminate the need for medication. “You’ve only lost 5 pounds. That can lead to a significant drop in blood pressure,” he noted.

Limiting alcohol intake and quitting smoking can also help, Nguyen said, adding that quitting smoking has other benefits for cardiovascular health as well.

Additionally, getting a good night’s sleep and avoiding salty foods can also help lower blood pressure, he said.

Dr. Shannon Winnacle, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, Maryland, who was not involved in the study, suggested people also consider whether they have pain problems. I added it above.

“Pain management is important, even if it is the result of a chronic illness or injury, because pain is a stressor that increases blood pressure,” she said.

Winakle pointed out that there is considerable overlap between what you can do to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and what you can do to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Another suggestion she made to reduce both risks is to move more.

“”official” recommendation 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week,” she said. “But I tell my patients anything is better than nothing.”

Winnacle also advises against limiting yourself by thinking exercise has to be like a run or a fitness class.

“Dancing in the kitchen, walking the dog, parking further away from the store, anything that encourages more physical activity… add more opportunities for physical activity to your normal routine. “This gradually strengthens the heart,” she explained.

When it comes to what to eat, it should be made up mainly of vegetables, low in saturated fat (fats found in animal fats such as beef, pork, ham, and bacon, and fats found in dairy products), and refined carbohydrates and sugar (bread, etc.). (e.g. pasta, sweets), small amounts of red meat, fish, and complex carbohydrates can all contribute to improving your heart and overall health,” Winnacle said.

She also recommends eating foods as close to their natural state as possible.

“You don’t see wild bread or chickpea pasta,” she says.

Winnacle also recommends seeing your doctor regularly to have basic tests such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels checked.

“Recognizing potential problems early on encourages conversations with your health care provider about what you can do to stay healthy,” she said.

Finally, Winnacle says it’s important to take steps to deal with stress.

“We recommend staying healthy by getting enough sleep, doing some form of physical activity every day, meditating regularly, limiting your alcohol use, and limiting your exposure to news and screens (TV, tablets, mobile phones). “Manage your stress in a safe manner. Be kind when you need it,” she concluded.

Hypertension is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

However, an Australian study found that high blood pressure remains the country’s leading risk factor for premature death from all causes, including cardiovascular disease.

Experts advise taking steps to lower blood pressure by improving your diet, exercising, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and reducing stress.

This reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and death.