Tunisia Sees Alarming Rise in Hypertension Cases, Warns of Silent Killer
On the occasion of World Hypertension Day, celebrated on May 17th every year, Dr. Habib Skhiri, President of the Tunisian Association of Kidney Diseases, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, revealed that approximately 2.4 million Tunisians suffer from hypertension. However, only 49% of cases have been diagnosed, and a mere 16% of diagnosed patients have achieved therapeutic goals.
According to the World Health Organization's 2025 report, the hypertension rate among people aged 30-79 in Tunisia stands at 36%, compared to 34% globally.
Dr. Skhiri emphasized that hypertension is a relatively easy disease to diagnose, but many people are still unaware of their condition. He highlighted that hypertension is one of the leading causes of mortality and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
The number of patients continues to rise, with obesity being a primary cause of hypertension, followed by diabetes and kidney diseases. Described as a "silent killer," hypertension can manifest through early warning signs such as headaches, vision problems, or tinnitus, necessitating prompt blood pressure control.
The specialist urged individuals at high risk, including diabetics, obese individuals, those experiencing chronic stress, those with a family history of hypertension or kidney disease, seniors over 65, pregnant women, smokers, and those suffering from sleep disorders, to regularly monitor their blood pressure.
To prevent hypertension, Dr. Skhiri recommended adopting a healthy lifestyle through weight loss, a balanced diet low in salt, increased consumption of potassium-rich fruits and vegetables, quitting tobacco and alcohol, and engaging in regular physical activity and relaxation exercises.
The doctor also reminded the public of the new reference values for evaluating blood pressure: a normal blood pressure is considered to be below 120/80 mmHg, abnormal when the systolic pressure ranges from 120 to 129 mmHg with a diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg, and elevated when the values reach 130-139 mmHg for systolic and 80-89 mmHg for diastolic.
Only 40% of patients diagnosed with hypertension are actually following treatment, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and action against this silent killer.
Key Statistics:
- 2.4 million Tunisians suffer from hypertension
- 49% of cases have been diagnosed
- 16% of diagnosed patients have achieved therapeutic goals
- 36% of people aged 30-79 in Tunisia have hypertension (compared to 34% globally)
- Obesity, diabetes, and kidney diseases are primary causes of hypertension
High-Risk Groups:
- Diabetics
- Obese individuals
- Those experiencing chronic stress
- Those with a family history of hypertension or kidney disease
- Seniors over 65
- Pregnant women
- Smokers
- Those suffering from sleep disorders
Prevention Tips:
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle through weight loss and a balanced diet
- Increase consumption of potassium-rich fruits and vegetables
- Quit tobacco and alcohol
- Engage in regular physical activity and relaxation exercises
