‘Hypertension is a silent killer’

Cardiologists at seminar note over 20% of world's population suffers from high blood pressure

Around 20 per cent people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure, which is a silent killer, according to experts speaking at Dow Medical College's Arag Auditorium on Monday.

The seminar was organised in collaboration with Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital's cardiology department and the Pakistan Hypertension League (PHL) to mark world hypertension day, which is typically observed on May 17 but was postponed to October 17 this year given the coronavirus pandemic.

The motto this year was 'measure your blood pressure, control it and live longer,' said civil hospital's Cardiology Department Head Professor Nawaz Lashari.

The estimated percentage of people afflicted with hypertension does not include those who inherit the disease, clarified the speakers indicating that actual figures would be higher. The speakers noted that the disease can affect functions of various organs and cause life-long ailments.

Heart patients visit civil hospital in Karachi from all areas of the province for free of charge treatment, said Prof Noor Mohammad Soomro, a medical superintendent at the facility. A cardiology ward worth Rs890m will be set up soon with state of the art equipment, he announced.

According to PHL General-Secretary Prof Ishaq, this is the first time since 2005 that there appears to be an epidemic of high blood pressure. There is an urgent need for public awareness as due to lack of education and attitudes of neglect towards health high blood pressure may go unchecked which can lead to other diseases, he noted.

He urged doctors to take the time to listen to their patients as it would provide them relief. He also warned hypertension patients to not be irregular with their medication as that can cause major complications.

Dr Faisal Ahmed, however, observed that hypertension can also be controlled without medication. But, he added, it is important to monitor blood pressure at home using two readings daily at least - 80 to 120mg/dl is the normal range depending on age group, he said. He advised no smoking and a healthy diet with less fried foods and controlled salt consumption.

The speakers also advised patients to minimise stress as much as possible and surround themselves with loved ones. Can live longer with love, they said.

Prof Abdul Rashid of PHL and Dr Zaryab Ahmed also emphasised on regular monitoring of blood pressure.

That is the only way to prevent it, said Prof Rashid, adding that low blood pressure should also be treated as it may be a precursor to some other disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2020.