The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

One in five adults in the country suffers from high blood pressure, cardiologists said here yesterday, asking people to measure blood pressure at home with auto or semi-auto device to prevent stroke and heart ailments.

"High blood pressure is solely responsible for half of all heart diseases and over 60 percent of strokes," Dr KMHS Sirajul Haque, secretary general of Hypertension Committee of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (HCNHFB), said at a press conference on Sunday.

The press conference was organised at the National Press Club on the eve of World High Blood Pressure Day on May 17 in the country as elsewhere in the world. An estimated 150 crore adults suffer from some degree of high blood pressure in the world.

"In Bangladesh, the number of high blood pressure patients are around 1.5 crore and most of them do not know about this health problem," Dr Sirajul said adding, the lack of awareness about the disease among rural elderly was acute.

He said, only 17 percent rural elderly know that they have been suffering from high blood pressure, a contrast to their urban cohort who were better health educated and around half of them were aware about it. However, very few of them have been able to keep the pressure under control.

Chairman of HCNHFB Professor RK Khandaker said, the detection and treatment of high blood pressure was inadequate in the country, but things could be controlled through popularising the measurement of blood pressure at home.

The self-care at home can save many lives, especially for those the disease remains asymptomatic.

Professor Khandaker also suggested for changing lifestyle and consulting doctors once the blood pressure goes above 135/85 mm of mercury. However, the diabetics should talk to doctors' even if the pressure shown below the border mark.

He also asked for taking higher precaution for the people who have already been affected by diabetes and heart ailments.

High blood pressure is attributed to consumption of more salts, intake of imbalanced food lack of physical activity and mental stress. The disease can be prevented and controlled through public health measures and be cured by proper treatments and timely drug administration.