Context -

• WHO has recently released a report regarding India. It says that if people become aware of hypertension, 46 lakh lives can be saved by 2024.

Recent statistics related to hypertension -

• According to WHO, currently 18.83 crore people in India are living with hypertension.
• More than half of these people (63%) do not know that they are victims of it, and among those who do know (37%), only one in three seeks medical advice and takes medication. Even among those taking medication, Only half are able to control BP.
• As a result, uncontrolled BP is responsible for more than half of the deaths due to heart disease in the country.
• In high-income countries, people and governments are very conscious about the spreading problem like this epidemic, whereas in low-income countries like India, neither the government is creating the required awareness about it nor there is a proper treatment system.

What is hypertension?

• Hypertension or high blood pressure, sometimes called arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is increased.
• Because of this increase in pressure, the heart needs to work harder than normal to maintain blood flow through the arteries.
• Hypertension results in high BP and related heart, kidney and other life-threatening diseases.
• Blood pressure above 140/90 is generally defined as hypertension.
• If the pressure is above 180/120 then it is considered fatal.

Symptoms -

• There are no symptoms of high blood pressure.
• Over time, if left untreated, it can lead to health complications, such as heart disease and stroke.

Reason for uncontrolled increase of hypertension -

• Obesity, an inactive lifestyle, stress, smoking, alcohol, and excessive amounts of sodium (salt) in the diet all play a role in the development of high blood pressure.
• People's indifference towards hypertension
• (Not getting your BP checked from time to time).

Result -

• Long-term uncontrolled BP can cause many diseases like heart disease, heart failure and stroke.

 Preventive measures -

• According to doctors, to prevent this, Indians will have to reduce the amount of salt in their food to at least one-fourth.
• WHO and other organizations recommend 2-4 grams of salt per day, whereas in Indian food it is 8-12 grams. This has to be considered.
• Apart from this, to control high blood pressure, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products, meat, fish and nuts should be included in the diet.
• Also, excessively sweet foods should be avoided. Apart from this, consumption of soda and juice should be reduced.

 Exam oriented Static facts

WHO

• Established-7 April 1948
• Type -Specialized Agency of the United Nations
• Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
• Director General – Tedros Adhanom (Ethiopia)

• Deputy Director General-India Soumya Swaminathan
• Parent Organization – United Nations Economic and Social Council