World Hypertension Day: Cases rise by 97% in Maharashtra in 7 years, shows survey

In 2017-18, 74,77,101 patients were screened and 2,06,935 diagnosed as positive for hypertension.

The number of hypertension patients in Maharashtra has gone up by 97% in the past seven years, according to a surveillance report by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS).

Hypertension is defined as sustained high blood pressure over five weeks or more.

In 2017-18, 74,77,101 patients were screened and 2,06,935 diagnosed as positive for hypertension. Most were not aware of the condition and were brought under treatment after the diagnosis.

Hypertension is defined as sustained high blood pressure over five weeks or more. Those suffering from this ailment are at high risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The Union health ministry defines high blood pressure as a reading of more 140/90 mmHg.

World Hypertension Day is observed every year on May 17, to raise awareness and promote hypertension prevention, detection and control.

“Studies suggest that in rural areas in India, only one quarter of people with hypertension are aware of their condition, and only around 10% have their blood pressure controlled. In urban areas, around 40% of people with hypertension are aware of their condition, and only around 20% have their blood pressure controlled. It shows a lack of awareness of cardiovascular diseases in the youth and hence it goes undetected,” said Dr Sushant Patil, consulting cardiologist at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital.

The data has also suggested an increase in the number of young people diagnosed with hypertension.

Dr Pratik Soni, cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospital (Mumbai Central) said, “In today’s developing countries, one in five people are hypertensive due to lifestyle, target stress, pollution, work culture and food habits. As per Indian data we are expecting one in two by 2025,” said Dr Soni.

The National Family Health Survey of 2017, conducted by the union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare across 100 districts in India, found one in eight has hypertension. Though there has been a spike in the number of patients in Maharashtra and India, the numbers are lower than those of other countries. According to the World Health Organization, one in every three people in the US and one in four in the UK suffers from hypertension.