An estimated 1.28 billion people globally, two thirds of them in low- and middle-income countries, are affected by hypertension. As per WHO, an estimated 46% of people with hypertension globally are unaware that they have the condition, and less than half of all adults with hypertension are diagnosed and treated.
One in five adults with hypertension have hypertension under control, meaning 80% are at significant risk of complications, including heart attack, stroke, irregular heart-beat and kidney damage.
In Jammu and Kashmir contest, as per official figures, more than 10 percent adults are suffering from hypertension while more than half of the population in the J&K are in pre hypertensive stage.
According to NHFS-5, 36 percent women and 31 percent men in Jammu and Kashmir have normal blood pressure.
As per the data, age has correlation with hypertension and with growing age one has more chances of having hypertension with three percent people of 15-19 age are having hypertension which increases to over 4 percent in 20-24 age group, around seven percent in 25-29 age group, 8.5 percent in 30-34 age group, 14 percent in 35-39 age group, 20 percent in 40-45 age group and 24 percent in 45-49 age group.
The prevalence of hypertension among people in urban areas is more as compared to people living in rural areas as around 10.3 percent women in Urban areas and 9.7 percent women in rural areas are having hypertension.
Accelerated action to prevent, detect and control hypertension cannot and must not wait, WHO has said.
The world body rightly underscored for increased access to green and healthy spaces which can facilitate physical activity. There is need for enhancing awareness. In many cases, hypertension has no warning signs or symptoms. All adults must therefore have their blood pressure measured on a regular basis, including at every health care visit, the WHO underlines. There is also need for fully implementing the WHO hearts technical package in all PHC facilities. Specific focus must be put on increasing the capacity of frontline health workers, including in the provision of healthy lifestyle counselling. Also there is need for ensuring hypertension control is included in Universal health coverage benefit packages.
Importantly, there is need to measure blood pressure regularly, control it and live longer. Awareness and access for all people to quality hypertension services is a must.
Control hypertension
