A growing number of adults are developing hypertension, but less than a third know about the existence of the condition, warned doctors on the eve of World Hypertension Day to be observed on Tuesday.
Numerous studies have pointed out the increasing incidence of hypertension in the Indian population, with the age of diagnosis also decreasing.
Study
A study published last year found that nearly a quarter of the select 1,611 students from Moinabad aged between 17 and 25 years, who were screened during the study, showed existence of pre-hypertension, a condition marked by systolic pressure greater than 120 mmHg but less than 140 mmHg that defines hypertension.
About four per cent were found to be hypertensive, with increased likelihood of also being obese.
Dr. Venkat S. Ram, director of the South Asia regional office of the World Hypertension League (WHL), who also heads Apollo Institute of Blood Pressure Management, said on Monday that blood pressure has to be controlled at all times of the day without exception.
Risk
He warned that high BP was associated with increased risk of heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure.
Apollo doctors also claimed that nearly a third of adults in the State are hypertensive but less than 10 per cent are aware of the condition’s existence.
They warned that treatment for hypertension is indefinite and medication should not be missed as the consequences of uncontrolled hypertension on the body can be very costly.
Blood pressure has to be controlled at all times of the day without exception.
Dr. Venkat S. RamApollo Institute of Blood Pressure Management
