From crispy to dizzy: rural area tops hypertension list

07/10/2026

Who doesn’t love Ilocos Bagnet, empanada, and longganisa? Just reading these can make you crave one.

However, these trademark delicacies might be one of the reasons why Ilocos is the region with the largest number of people with hypertension aged 20-59 years, as reported by ABS-CBN News.

Image courtesy of ABS-CBN News

This is based on data from the 2025 single-visit measurement of the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), which shows that 12.7% of people residing in Ilocos are hypertensive. This data is supported by a recent article from the Philippine Information Agency, stating that 705 deaths in the region in 2025 were attributed to hypertension, as recorded by the Department of Health–Ilocos Center for Health Development.

Understanding Hypertension

But what is hypertension? If you check your blood pressure today and get 130/90 mmHg, does that automatically mean you’re hypertensive? Not really.

Hypertension is when your blood pressure is consistently elevated or higher than normal, which is 120/80 mmHg. While its exact cause is not identified, certain factors can contribute to the development of hypertension:

Diet & inactivity: High salt intake and a sedentary lifestyle strain the heart and increase blood pressure.
Obesity: Carrying extra weight places significant stress on your cardiovascular system.
Unhealthy habits: Smoking and heavy drinking damage blood vessels and can cause heart failure.
Stress: Frequent stress spikes blood pressure, potentially leading to chronic hypertension if unmanaged.
Age & genetics: Aging reduces vessel elasticity, while a family history increases your personal risk level.

But before you stress yourself out (which we just mentioned may cause high blood pressure!), hypertension can be prevented, especially since most of its causes are lifestyle-related.

Eat healthy: Choose more fruits and vegetables, and limit salty and fatty foods.
Move more: Exercise regularly and include strength activities a few times a week.
Rest: Get enough sleep and learn how to manage stress, like doing meditation or breathing exercises.
Avoid unhealthy vices: Limit or completely stop smoking or drinking too much alcohol.

Life is to be lived with joy and fun. But it won’t hurt, literally, to also keep your health in check so you can live more and do more in life.

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