4.7 million Nepalis suffer from hypertension, only 400,000 under medication

BY A STAFF REPORTER  Kathmandu, May 18:  Hypertension has become a silent epidemic, which is characterized by high blood pressure. It has been found that 4,700,000 people have hypertension problem in Nepal and among them only 400,000 seek medical attention while many of them are unaware that they have the condition. 

According to Dr. Phanindra Baral, Chief of Non -Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Mental Health at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), many hypertension patients do no seek treatment. 

Speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of World Hypertension Day on Tuesday, Dr. Baral said that each year, the number of hypertension patients is increasing. 

As per the STEP survey 2019 conducted in Nepal, 4.7 million people are suffering from hypertension. Among them only one million people know that they have hypertension and only 400,000 are taking medicines.  

On the occasion, Dr. Om Murti Anil, consultant cardiologist, expressed concern over the increasing rate of hypertension among youth. 

As per a study, it has been found that 10 per cent of youth from age group 15-24 are suffering from hypertension in Nepal, said Dr. Murti. 

Less than half of the adults with hypertension are diagnosed and treated. 

The productive age will be hampered if the problem of hypertension is found among youth, he added. The government must address such serious issue, said Dr. Murti.

Some of the main reasons behind hypertension in young people are stress, obesity, poor dietary habits, and a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activities among children are zero and increasing trend of junk food intake is leading a very unhealthy lifestyle.

Doctors have suggested to take precautions to keep hypertension at bay. In order to prevent the condition, one should reduce salt intake, eat more fruits and vegetables, be physically active, avoid use of tobacco and alcohol consumption, limit intake of highly saturated fats and trans fat in diet.  

Dr. Roshan Pokharel, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, said that hypertension has become a problem in every household and asked all to initiate to control and get the problem diagnosed. 

Hypertension is a serious concern as it can lead to other severe diseases like heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. It is a silent killer as if the disease goes undiagnosed until the problem becomes acute. 

According to the health experts, hypertension is manageable if one takes exercise regularly, controls their diet and avoids sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle. People who have an unhealthy weight, sedentary lifestyle, and are exposed to unhealthy activities like excessive smoking and alcohol consumption are at greater risk of hypertension, according to doctors. 

Most people with hypertension are unaware of hypertension as it may have no warning signs or symptoms. It is essential that blood pressure is monitored regularly.