A recent article published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology reviewed the hypertension data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (cycles 1-6, from 2007-2019) and found that, while treatment and control rates were high in those with a prior history of heart attack or stroke, patients without a history of heart attack or stroke were three times more likely to have their hypertension uncontrolled. This is why hypertension is labeled as the “silent killer”, as it often goes undetected. Nearly half of those surveyed who had hypertension, but did not have any comorbidities, were overlooked for treatment, and even those who were treated still had poorly controlled hypertension. This group (those who have hypertension with no comorbidities) represents over five hundred thousand Canadians.
It is important to note that in this latest survey, overall, only about two-thirds of Canadians have their blood pressure controlled. While this study shows that this trend has been consistent over time, it is important to note that only pre-pandemic data was used. The Canadian Health Measures Survey was not able to collect data during the pandemic, so cycle 7 (running from fall 2022 to fall 2024) will not include the pandemic data from 2020 until fall 2022. That said, data from the latest cycle can help determine the effects of the pandemic on blood pressure control rates.
The study recommended the promotion of public health campaigns, community screening programs, and pursuing further research in order to help raise control rates in Canada. Hypertension Canada agrees that blood pressure control rates in Canada remain suboptimal, and renewed effort is required to optimize blood pressure control of Canadians, especially in those who may be unaware that they have hypertension. This is a significant part of ongoing advocacy efforts with the Canadian Hypertension Coalition, as well as research initiatives that Hypertension Canada supports.