By Dhel Nazario Two out of 10 or 19.2 percent of Filipinos aged 20 and up are at risk of dying early from hypertension, according to the 2018 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). The case remains a cause for concern despite the decline in the number of Filipinos aged 20 and up who have hypertension -- from 23.9 percent in 2015 to 19.2 percent in 2018 – because only one out of five people get immediate treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Blood pressure is considered high when the systolic blood pressure (BP) is 140-millimeter mercury (mmHg) or higher and the diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher, according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Hypertension is a serious medical condition that increases the possibility of acquiring heart, brain, and kidney diseases. In a 2015 WHO report, approximately 1.13 billion people have hypertension, with two-thirds of them living in low- to middle-income countries like the Philippines. Fewer than one in five people with hypertension are managing the problem. The report added that hypertension is one of the leading causes of premature deaths around the world, where one out of four men and one out of five women have hypertension. The WHO aims to lower the rate of hypertension among non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25 percent in 2025 from its level in 2010. The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) strictly advises the community to be active, eat nutritious foods, reduce stress, refrain from drinking alcohol, and avoid smoking to lessen the chances of getting diseases rooted in an unhealthy lifestyle. The NGF was crafted by medical and nutritional experts led by the DOST-FNRI as a guide to healthy living. The DOST-FNRI also gives nutritional advice or nutrition counseling as well as creates guidelines to avoid hypertension and other NCDs. Those interested may call telephone numbers (8)837-2071 local 2288 and (8)837-8113 local 308 and look for Ms. Ruby D. Frane or any other who can provide nutrition counseling. Hypertension is considered a silent killer and people who have it are usually unaware that they have the complication due to the lack of symptoms and signs. Filipinos 18 and up are advised to have their blood pressure checked regularly even if they are not feeling any health concerns.