World Hypertension Day
17th May 2022
World NCD Federation raises alarm on rising prevalence of hypertension in India
Hypertension is the major cause of a range of health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and kidney disease. Many people who suffer from hypertension are not aware as there are no noticeable signs of hypertension. In India, only 1 in 6 people have blood pressure in control while others still face the risk of developing complications from it. Monitoring blood pressure regularly is the key to evade risk of serious illnesses.
This year’s theme for the World Hypertension Day 2022 “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer” focusses on combatting low awareness rates worldwide, and accurate blood pressure measurement methods. The low awareness and control levels of hypertension have been highlighted by the two statewide NCD Risk Factor Surveys carried out in Punjab and Haryana by the Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER during 2014-17.
The study revealed a high prevalence of hypertension at 40.1% and 26.6% in Punjab and Haryana respectively. In Punjab, only 48.3% of the hypertensive were aware of their condition, 30.9% are on treatment while only 18.3% of the cases were controlled. While in Haryana 33.4% of the respondents were aware of their condition, 26.3% are on treatment while only 12% of the cases are controlled. (Figure 1) Also, in both the states, higher proportion the urban population were on treatment than the rural population.
World NCD Federation has been actively working towards prevention and control of NCDs and organize various activities under its banner each year since 2015. It has trained many medical officers, program officers as well as public health researchers all over the world on public health approaches to NCDs. WNF gives strong emphasis on health promotion aspect of disease control. It has outlined guidelines for treatment of hypertension for general practitioners which are now being implemented under the Centre for Implementation Sciences and Research in Chandigarh. “These guidelines put special focus on management of hypertension by through health promotion and lifestyle changes” said Prof JS Thakur, Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, PGIMER and President, World NCD Federation.
The alarmingly low levels of control rates call for an urgent need of specific interventions with a focus on access to treatment, health promotion activities and regular follow up for better control of people with hypertension. Make changes that matter: Eat a well-balanced diet that’s low in salt, limit alcohol, indulge in physical activity for alteast 30 minutes in a day, manage stress, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, take your medications regularly suggests Dr. Thakur.
