Cases of hypertension in kids increasing – report

Hypertension, a cardiovascular disease affecting 25 percent of the nation or 14 million Filipinos, is now being seen more in children, a report from GMA's “Unang Balita” program said Thursday.

Thirteen-year-old Jhubilyn Turrano from Brgy. Bagong Nayon in Antipolo is among those who suffer from hypertension.

Last January, her blood pressure reached 130/100; this caused her to faint.

“Nasa school po ako tapos bigla na po akong nahilo talagang nakaramdam na po ako ng pananakit ng batok,” Turrano recalled.

Lourdes Ladlad, a relative, noticed she becomes pale when she gets tired or feels bad.

The Department of Health pinned this development on the Filipino habit of eating too much, coupled with stress, the report said.

The DOH does not have available data on kids with hypertension, but based on their studies, 34 percent of those with the disease die before reaching 60 years of age.

Cardiologist Dr. Anthony Leachon said lifestyle diseases—including hypertension, stroke, cancer, and diabetes—have already become an epidemic.

“It's an epidemic right now killing 300,000 Filipinos yearly,” Leachon said.

To prevent hypertension, oily food should be avoided, the report said.

Exercise and regular checkup for early detection should also be done, it added. — Andrei Medina/VC, GMA News