Despite improvements, hypertension control in Malaysia remains suboptimal at 45.0% among treated patients in 2019, requiring comprehensive strategies to address health system, provider, and patient barriers.
A one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate for hypertension control in Malaysia, highlighting the need for precision care considering educational, psychosocial, economic, and residential factors.
Hypertension is a major modifiable determinant of the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases in Malaysia. When not controlled it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and renal disease. This paper, a contribution to development of an effective response to this challenge, reviews what is known about the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Malaysia, identifying the factors contributing to inadequate levels of control and feasible measures to improve it. It reviews published data from Malaysia - with reference to other countries where relevant – to offer a comprehensive understanding of the problem. It is apparent that managing hypertension goes beyond the mere prescription of blood pressure (BP) lowering drugs. It involves a complex interplay of the healthcare delivery system, healthcare providers, and patients, recognising their differing educational, psychosocial, economic and residential status. Thus a one-size-fits-all approach will be patently inadequate to achieve good hypertension control. A paradigm shift towards a precision care for hypertension in Malaysia is needed.
Yusoff et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Hypertension. Hypertension management and care was evaluated. Despite improvements, hypertension control in Malaysia remains suboptimal at 45.0% among treated patients in 2019, requiring comprehensive strategies to address health system, provider, and patient barriers.
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