KATHMANDU: It is estimated that 4.7 million people have been found suffering from hypertension in Nepal.
At an interaction organised by the Department of Health Services on the occasion of World Hypertension Day here today, Director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Dr Chuman Lal Das said that 4.7 million people have hypertension problem in the country.
He shared that of them, one million people have known about their condition and 400,000 have been taking medicine. Out of 400,000 hypertension patients, who have been taking medicine, only 200,000 have their blood pressure under control, added Dr Das.
Stress, pollution, unhygienic food, use of alcohol and tobacco products and inactive lifestyle are some reasons behind the hypertension.
Similarly, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Roshan Pokhrel, mentioned that balanced lifestyle should be adopted to be safe from hypertension.
He further said that the ministry has been making preparation to allocate budget putting the non-communicable disease in priority.
People might die untimely from different problems including brain hemorrhage, heart attack, kidney, liver problems due to high blood pressure.
Likewise, chief specialist of the Ministry, Dr Shyam Sundar Yadav stressed the need of reducing the amount of salt and sugar consumption to avoid high-blood pressure.
Department director general Dr Dipendra Raman Singh underlined the need of increasing public awareness about hypertension along with arrangements for medical care.
As he said, health posts, primary health centers and hospitals ensure special services for hypertension. Regular measurement of blood pressure level and intake of medicine contribute to controlling the condition.
Senior cardiologist Dr Om Murti Anil shared his experiences that 10 percent among the people aged 15-24 are diagnosed with hypertension while this size is 50 percent among the population above 40. According to him, working youths in the Kathmandu Valley are vulnerable to the problem.
Not only the consumption of food containing much salt but also the intake of high sugar foods and high-fat diets elevate the level of blood pressure. “Fifty percent of the people with high blood pressure are normally unaware of their condition and curriculum about it and cardio vascular (heart) diseases should be incorporated right from the school level,” he suggested.
The World Hypertension Day is observed on March 17 every year and the Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the issue and promoting its prevention. The Day for 2022 was marked with the theme of “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”.
Headache, dizziness, fatigue, sudden nosebleed, nausea and increase of heartbeat rates are symptoms of hypertension. Eating a healthy diet including green vegetables and fruits, doing regular physical exercises and practicing Yoga, avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption, and limiting the amounts of intake of salt, red meat and fatty-meat are medically advised to avoid the hypertension and its complications.
