Hypertension Cases Rising Rapidly Among Indians, Warn Experts
Hyderabad, May 14 (TNT): Medical experts on Thursday warned that cases of high blood pressure, or hypertension, are rising rapidly among Indians and described the condition as a “silent killer” and one of the leading causes of preventable deaths.
The observations were made during a health education programme organised at the Central Railway Hospital in Lallaguda, Secunderabad here, to create awareness about hypertension among healthcare professionals and employees.
Experts said uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and vision-related complications.
They noted that more than 40 per cent of people in the 18-55 age group are unaware of their blood pressure levels, while four out of ten people diagnosed with hypertension fail to monitor their blood pressure regularly.
“Many people don’t know they have high blood pressure because there are often no symptoms. Some discover it only after suffering a heart attack or stroke,” experts said.
Delivering the keynote address, Executive Member of the Indian Society of Hypertension Dr. Naresh Purohit said several global scientific studies have shown that taking blood pressure medication at bedtime can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
He said patients who took blood pressure medication at night were found to be one-third less likely to suffer heart attacks or strokes compared to those taking the medicines in the morning.
According to Dr Purohit, blood pressure normally follows a 24-hour rhythm, remaining higher during the day and lower at night. However, people suffering from hypertension often do not experience this nighttime dip, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications.
“Sleep-time blood pressure is best reduced when medication is taken at bedtime,” he said.
Dr Purohit advised patients taking a single blood pressure tablet to consider consuming it at night, while those on multiple medications could benefit from taking at least one medicine before bedtime after medical consultation.
He also stressed that managing hypertension involves more than medication and highlighted the importance of lifestyle modifications.
The noted epidemiologist advised regular blood pressure monitoring, reduced sodium intake, regular exercise, stress management and maintaining healthy body weight to effectively tackle hypertension.
TNT TS
