About 700,000 people are suffering from high blood pressure in Shenzhen and the number is increasing at a rate of 10 percent a year, reported Shenzhen Daily Monday.

The statistics were supplied by the Shenzhen Municipal Health Bureau, which checked more than 500 people for hypertension Friday, World Hypertension Day.

According to some experts, hypertension is related to a change in a person's way of life. They also pointed out that more young people were suffering from hypertension these days.

Many people between the ages of 20 and 30 have high blood pressure, said a doctor surnamed Zhang. Another doctor said a characteristic in Shenzhen people's health was that a person in his 20s has a heart of a person in his 50s.
   
He said Shenzhen's youngest patient with myocardial infarction was only 25 years old.
   
High blood pressure is considered to be the primary reason for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

It's not only senior people but also young people who should keep an eye on their blood pressure, Zhang said.
   
The experts said that prevention was most important in keeping a person's blood pressure normal. They should raise their awareness of self-protection and have frequent blood pressure checks, Zhang said. Those with tight work schedules should relax and have frequent physical exercise.
   
He also advised people stay away from drinking alcohol and smoking.

(Shenzhen Daily October 11, 20004))