Tamil Nadu   

40,000 found with abnormal blood pressure in Virudhunagar

VIRUDHUNAGAR: As many as 40,000 persons above the age of 30 years have been identified with abnormal blood pressure in Virudhunagar district.

This was found during screening of over 1.5 lakh persons in the last nine months under the World Bank-assisted Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Prevention Programme, according to the former Director of Medical and Rural Health Services, Dr. (Captain) M. Kamatchi.

He forms part of a three-member team that includes Dr. Michael, consultant to World Bank on non-communicable diseases, and Dr. Satish Kumar, programme coordinator for State for Tamil Nadu Health System project, that reviewed the progress of the programme here on Tuesday.

The team inspected the Government Hospital, primary health centres (PHCs) and schools through which the CVD risk prevention programme is being implemented.

Speaking to The Hindu, Dr. Kamatchi said that the screening programme, being implemented in Virudhunagar and Sivaganga districts, would cover the entire population (30 years and above) during the two-year period.

Those identified with blood pressure during the screening done since October last year were getting treatment at Government hospitals and PHCs. “We give them free medicines meant for two weeks at the GHs and the PHCs to control blood pressure,” he said.

Stating that early intervention would help people prevent heart attacks and stroke, he said that the programme also included creating awareness of heart disease among people. Health education was being done at select five offices, including the Collectorate, banks and mills, where the employees were being made aware of changing lifestyle and food habits.

“We advise them to take food with more fibre content and less fat. We encourage them to take up physical activities and advise them to form cycling clubs, walkers’ clubs and health clubs,” he added. Besides, the ill-effects of smoking on heart were also being highlighted.

Students of 7th and 8th standard in select 25 schools were being taught on the ways and means to prevent heart disease, he added.

The Virudhunagar Deputy Director (Health), P. Vadivelan, among others, was present.

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