Steps needed to improve health of growing urban populations
Major report calls on leaders to commit to managing cities better
Politicians need to “ take responsibility ” for the health of urban residents as cities continue to grow in size . “ While cities have been an engine of innovation and wealth , they are also a source of pollution and disease ,” according to a paper published in the European Heart Journal .
It states that cities are harbouring a dangerous cocktail of environmental risks for the three in four people globally who will live in cities by 2050 . It also revealed evidence for the connection between cardiovascular disease and bad air , noise , temperature , and outdoor light .
Its authors call for “ a radical rethink about how we organise the way we live in the future in order to protect human and planetary health .”
“ There are limited actions that individuals can take to protect themselves from pollutants so politicians and policy makers need to take on this responsibility ,” said study author Professor Thomas Münzel of the University Medical Centre Mainz in Germany .
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in Europe , accounting for 47 percent of all deaths in women and 39 percent in men .
Air pollution is responsible for around 800,000 fatal illnesses per year in Europe , of which around half are heart attacks and strokes .
Transport emissions are the largest contributor to air pollution in cities around the world . Similarly , the dominant source of noise is road traffic , which increases the risk for ischaemic heart disease . Nocturnal light pollution has been linked with hospitalisation and death from coronary heart disease .
Individuals can avoid polluted areas and wear ear plugs , but real change requires commitment from politicians . It is expected that metropolitan areas will house an ever-greater share of the world ’ s population in years to come . Now is the time to design cities which promote rather than damage health ,” he said .
Heart experts update advice for high blood pressure
Doctors are advised to prescribe medication after six months of continued hypertension
The American Heart Association has called for doctors to consider prescribing blood pressure-lowering medication to people with stage 1 hypertension who are unable to bring levels down after six months of improved diet and increased exercise .
In a scientific statement in its journal , Hypertension , the association updated guidelines it issued with the American College of Cardiology in 2017 that advised lifestyle changes for six months but did not say what to do if that strategy failed .
The new guidance fills that gap and applies to almost 10 percent of American adults with high blood pressure .
The latest statement offers a range of healthy behaviours to lower blood pressure , such as achieving ideal body weight , exercising , eating less sodium , enhancing potassium intake , and following a recommended dietary regime . Other changes include limiting alcohol and not smoking .
“ We know that people with blood pressure lower than 130 / 80 mmHg have fewer markers of cardiovascular risk like elevated coronary calcium , enlargement of the heart or buildup of fatty deposits called atherosclerosis in arteries of the neck ,” said Dr Daniel W . Jones , chair of the statement writing group , in a statement .
“ There is strong evidence that treating high blood pressure saves lives by reducing the risks for heart attack and stroke ,” he said .
The statement acknowledges that lowering blood pressure through lifestyle changes alone isn ’ t easy .
“ We certainly prefer to achieve blood pressure goals without adding medication . However , successfully treating high blood pressure does extend both years and quality of life ,” Dr Jones added .
18 JUNE 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com