India moving towards being Hypertension nation,1 out of 4 suffer with disease: Dr Tarun

On the occasion of ‘World Hypertension Day’ to be observed on Friday, health experts have warned that this is a common yet often asymptomatic condition that affects millions of people across the world.

Hypertension are Asymptomatic

Highlighting that about 90 per cent cases of hypertension are asymptomatic, Dr. (Prof) Tarun kumar, Interventional Cardiologist, Medanta Medicity, said that at least one out of every four adults in India has hypertension which is responsible for 57 per cent of all stroke deaths and 24 percent of all coronary heart disease deaths in India.

He said that of the estimated 220 million people in India living with hypertension, only 12 per cent have their blood pressure under control. It affects a substantial portion of the Indian population, with an overall prevalence of around 29.8 per cent. 

Rising trends of Hypertension in India

Talking about the factors responsible for rising trends of Hypertension in India, Dr Kumar said rising urbanization, lifestyle changes, Sedentary habits, increasing salt intake and overall epidemiologic transition India is experiencing are some of the prime factors. Dispelling the myths, he said that there is no age-bar criteria for hypertension as it is often misunderstood that this is the disease of elderly population. Asserting that Hypertension can be controlled, but not cured, he said, stopping drugs once BP is normal is a myth. 

Rule of Halves For Hypertension

Pointing out about the untreated Hypertension cases in the country, Dr Kumar highlighted ‘The Rule of Halves for Hypertension’. He said only 1/2 of the cases have been diagnosed, and only 1/2 of those diagnosed have been treated. He continued only 1/2 of those treated are adequately controlled. Thus, only 12.5 per cent overall are adequately controlled.

Key Points to control Blood Pressure

Dr Kumar outlined the key points – Blood Pressure Monitoring at home and Lifestyle Modification including the Dietary changes to control the Blood Pressure. “Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products while limiting saturated and total fat”, he said.  Medanta Doctor also advised to reduce sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg daily, and ideally 1,500 mg for individuals with hypertension or other health conditions. 

To lower sodium in the diet, Dr Kumar advised to look for low-sodium versions of foods and drinks and eat fewer processed foods and don’t add table salt.  He also advised to increase potassium intake, as it can help counteract the effects of sodium and physical activity.

“Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise most days of the week, such as brisk walking, jogging, or cycling. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight through a combination of diet and exercise. Learn and practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation (no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women). Smoking significantly increases the risk of hypertension and should be avoided”, advised Dr Tarun Kumar.

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