Kathmandu, May 17 (RSS): 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 problems 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.
He further said that the ministry
has been making preparation to allocate the budget putting the non-communicable
disease a priority.
People might die untimely from
different problems including brain haemorrhage, heart attack, and kidney, and liver
problems due to high blood pressure.
Likewise, the 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 centres 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 per cent of the people aged 15-24 are diagnosed
with hypertension while this size is 50 per cent 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 per cent of the people with high
blood pressure are normally unaware of their condition and curriculum about it
and cardiovascular (heart) diseases should be incorporated right from the
school level,” he suggested.
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".