Shenzhen health authorities revealed Monday that more than 1 million residents in the city are suffering from high blood pressure, and the number has been rising since 1997.

The watchdog suggested all Shenzheners over 20 years old have their blood pressure checked at least once a year at community clinics. The Shenzhen Municipal Health Bureau has launched a high blood pressure prevention and treatment program at 407 community clinics across the city.

Statistics from the municipal chronic disease treatment center showed that at least 10 percent of the city's population aged 15 or above were diagnosed with high blood pressure in 1997.

Peng Ji, a department director and registered doctor, said the situation is now even worse a decade later.

"Many young or middle-aged residents have now been diagnosed with the disease, which used to be found in the older generation. The disease is now common among those who are in their 30s or 40s. The youngest patient we have seen is under 20," said Peng, adding that the city will arrange a large-scale survey on local residents' blood pressure and diabetes.

The authorities said taxi drivers with very little exercise, white-collar workers and senior managers who work in high-pressured jobs are potential sufferers of high blood pressure.

Experts suggest people with a high risk eat light diets and take moderate exercise to avoid becoming victims of hypertension.

(Shenzhen Daily October 10, 2007)