A survey conducted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation found that eight out of 10 healthcare professionals are concerned about the rising rate of hypertension cases in Canada, with the foundation reporting that nearly eight million Canadians have been affected by heart diseases. In collaboration with Environics Research, the survey was conducted online, asking 982 health experts, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, about their biggest concerns for Canadians. Seven out of 10 participants said they are worried that many people do not know what hypertension is or how to detect if they have it. Hypertension occurs when the blood pressure in the arteries rises, causing the heart itself to work harder to pump blood to a person's blood vessels. Currently, one in four Canadians suffers from hypertension, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Also, Toronto family doctor Dr. Rahul Jain says there are countless reasons behind hypertension, including lack of education among Canadians, lack of accessible healthcare, and increased challenges from the pandemic. Researchers also say that those with a history of allergies may be more susceptible to the risk of hypertension, with Jain telling CTVNews.ca in a phone interview on Tuesday: "There are many possible opportunities, and I think it really falls within the framework of increasing awareness and education, which is fundamental, then also working on identifying prevention and treatment." The survey found that seven out of 10 healthcare professionals are concerned that the demographic at risk of hypertension faces barriers that prevent support and treatment of hypertension, especially women. Additionally, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, treatment of women has declined over the past decade, which has become a concern because different groups of women are already at risk of hypertension due to uncontrollable factors. Furthermore, factors such as race, family history, and gender play a role in increasing the risk of hypertension. However, external factors such as the pandemic have made access to healthcare difficult for many, as hospitals and doctor's offices can sometimes be crowded, and patients are less likely to visit family doctors for help. While people with hypertension may not show warning signs or symptoms of the condition, Jain recommends that Canadians seek medical help to determine their hypertension risk and take preventive measures such as increasing physical activity, monitoring their food intake and smoking habits. Canadians can also use medically approved home devices or blood pressure monitors in pharmacies to track their heart health.