Hyderabad, May 16th, 2019 : Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the main reason for cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and stroke-paralysis in India. Hypertension is a serious threat to the public health. Unless aggressive national measures are taken urgently, India will remain in the “grip” of cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, heart failure).
World Hypertension Day 2019 – May 17th
More and more people (including the young) are developing high blood pressure in our society. This is an extremely serious matter. The productivity of our country will take a nose dive unless we halt the epidemic of high blood pressure.
By any definition, 25 to 30% of adults in Indiahave hypertension. And these people inevitably are destined to become sick. We must screen our citizens for hypertension with health check-ups. Those who have high blood pressure should be treated. No doubt about this.
Old Definition of high blood pressure = More than 140/90
New Definition of high blood pressure= More than 130/80.
Treatment objective = Bring the blood pressure to less than 130/80.
Various international guidelines have identified, Indians as a “high risk” population. Therefore, the new guidelines (to lower the blood pressure to less than 130/80) are most applicable to India. So, “Know your numbers”.
Dr. C. Venkata S. Ram
Hypertension Expert & Director,
Apollo Institute for Blood Pressure Management;
Apollo Blood Pressure Clinics.
Professor, Apollo Medical College, Director, World Hypertension League
(in partnership with WHO), South Asia Region, Hyderabad.
