AKLAN — Aklan recorded the highest proportion of adults identified with hypertension in Western Visayas, according to the latest data from the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-6).
The Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS) report as of June 2026 showed that 25.40 percent of adults in Aklan who underwent the Philippine Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease Interventions (PhilPEN) risk assessment were identified as hypertensive.
Aklan was followed by Guimaras with 22 percent and Capiz with 19.20 percent.
Across Western Visayas, 122,118 of the 749,204 adults assessed, or 16.30 percent, were identified with hypertension.
The health burden is also reflected in the region’s morbidity data, with essential or primary hypertension recorded as the leading cause of morbidity across all age groups.
DOH-6 data showed 76,483 cases of essential (primary) hypertension, surpassing acute upper respiratory infections with 60,946 cases and pneumonia with 24,937 cases. Diabetes mellitus ranked fifth with 16,458 cases.
Health authorities described hypertension as a “silent” condition because it may develop without noticeable symptoms, emphasizing the importance of regular health checks.
“Cardiovascular diseases can develop silently… Prevention starts with knowing and controlling our risk factors,” DOH-6 stressed.
Uncontrolled hypertension can increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and other forms of organ damage. Cardiovascular diseases also remain among the leading causes of death in the region.
DOH-6 encouraged residents to have their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly and adopt healthier lifestyles to prevent and control hypertension.
Health officials advised people to maintain a balanced diet low in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats, engage in regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption.
Those diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol were also urged to take prescribed medications consistently and follow their health providers’ advice.
Health authorities further advised the public to seek medical attention for warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, dizziness or pain radiating to the arms or jaw./PN
