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Hypertension cases high in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: The number of people developing hypertension is “quite high” in the Union Territory. Despite increasing awareness on regular check-ups and adherence to medications, uncontrolled food habits, less physical activity, and poor compliance with lifestyle modification has resulted in growing cases of hypertension and related complications.

Data available with the Directorate of Health revealed there were 68,165 cases of hypertension in 2006 in the Union Territory. The number of hypertension cases was 74,975 in 2007, and 72, 318 upto November 2008. The number of deaths caused due to complications of hypertension was 202 in 2006, 142 in 2007 and 112 in 2008 (till November), officials said.

“The cases of hypertension are quite high in the Union Territory. Complications such as strokes are also high. The lifestyle seems to be the same for people in urban and rural areas. Lack of physical work and absence of right type of diet are the main contributing factors for hypertension,” Director of Health Dilip Kumar Baliga said.

In a day, a young adult in the age group of 20 to 45 years is expected to shed 1,000 calories on work-related activities. Poor physical activity coupled with high calorie food, high salt content and fatty food intake, serve as drawbacks in the Union Territory, officials pointed out.

Even genetics had a role to play in causing hypertension among Puducherrians as the place was known for high incidence of the condition, Dr. Baliga noted. “The age of occurrence of hypertension is also coming down. If a person develops hypertension at the age of 30 and does not keep it under control, he will develop strokes or heart ailments at the age of 45. Ten years of being hypertensive will lead to damage of heart, kidneys and brain,” he said.

However, the awareness on testing was high among people in Puducherry. “We have special hypertension and diabetes clinics at all primary health centres. We are giving medications free of cost every 15 days. Specialists are available on a fixed day every week at five rural areas of Puducherry and three at Karaikal. People take medications properly but the compliance to change in lifestyle is poor,” he said.

According to doctors, 45 minutes of brisk walking every day was a must for those who do not have manual work. This would reduce the cholesterol and blood sugar levels, thereby helping to keep both hypertension and diabetes at bay.

“The Health Department is taking large-scale efforts for detection of hypertension. We have adolescent health teams which visit all schools and check the blood pressure for all adolescent students. We also have village health days at 92 revenue villages every month. People are willing to come and take medications but should also change their food habits and lifestyle accordingly,” he insisted.

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