6 million French people do not know they suffer from high blood pressure

2023-05-16 20:25:37

Published on 16/05/2023 22:24

Update on 16/05/2023 22:25

Video length: 1 min.

France 3

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Arterial hypertension is the most common chronic disease in France, and yet few feel concerned. The point, Tuesday, May 16, on the 19/20 set with Damien Mascret, doctor and journalist for France Télévisions.

For the first time, a very precise study on arterial hypertension is emerging. “17 million French people suffer from high blood pressure, and especially among them 6 million French people are unaware of it“, indicates Damien Mascret, doctor and journalist for France Télévisions, Tuesday May 16, on the set of 19/20. Why? “Quite simply because hypertension does not give any symptoms for very long. So to know if you are hypertensive, the only way is to measure or have your blood pressure measured. And of course, if you are hypertensive, you will have to take treatment every day.“, adds Damien Mascret.

Get tested every year

If the treatment is not taken, there are risks “for all arteries. This means that you will damage your heart, risk of heart attack, your brain, risk of stroke or dementia, and you will even damage your kidneys, with risk of kidney failure“, details the doctor and journalist.

In addition, 4 million French people are insufficiently treated and take risks despite their treatment. In practice, everyone must be screened from the age of 30 “and even from the age of 20 if you have specific risks, for example overweight or hypertension in the family“, specifies the doctor. It is also important to do it every year.