Hypertension is leading contributor to heart diseases amongst Punekars 

Pune: On the occasion of World Hypertension Day i.e. May 17, 2017, a study by Indus Health Plus revealed 35% of people under the age group of 40-60 years who are suffering from hypertension are at high risk of heart diseases like heart attacks or strokes. The sample size for the study was 11,150 people who underwent preventive health check-up during January – December 2016.

The report states that incidences of hypertension are increasing consistently in Pune area, with 20%- 40% urban people and 12%-17% rural people suffering from it.

Mr. Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist, Indus Health Plus says, “90 % of the population are unaware about the silent symptoms of Hypertension. Punekars are not meeting healthy lifestyle recommendations that are important in preventing hypertension and its complications. While those from urban areas blamed work pressure and job insecurity for rising levels of stress and eventually hypertension, people from semi-rural and rural area blamed the increasing cost and increased in-house expenditure. If not treated on time, hypertension can lead to heart problems, renal and multiple organ failure. A timely and routine check-up can reduce the risk of Hypertension.”

Key findings from the survey:

 23.16% and 22.60% of men and women above 25 years suffer from hypertension. Out of these, 70% people are unaware that they have hypertension

 Atherosclerosis is one of the main factors for increased Hypertension. 40% men and 38% women from the age group of 35-55 years have atherosclerosis

 16% are at potential risk of secondary hypertension

 Secondary Hypertension is the result of illness, such as kidney diseases, disorders of the thyroid, pituitary or adrenal glands, pregnancy, obesity, sleep disorders and adverse effects of medicines

 14% men from the age group of 30-40 years who have complaints related to kidney diseases, central obesity, and improper sleep are at high risk of hypertension.

 30% of men and 26% of women from the age group of 40-65 years have both diabetes as well as hypertension

 Late eating, no socializing, excessive time spent on smartphones, no physical activity is the leading cause in increasing hypertension among the urban population. Even children as young as 16-18 year olds have been found to be at high risk of hypertension due to their lifestyle

Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg,  while prehypertension is a systolic BP 120–139 mmHg. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body. Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, Hypertension. One can control Hypertension by doing Yoga аnd meditation on regular basis.