Staff Reporter :
One in every five persons that means about 21pc adults are now suffering from hypertension in Bangladesh.
Hypertension increases risks of various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) especially cardiovascular diseases.
The Non-communicable Disease Control (NCDC) Program of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has undertaken a number of initiatives in order to build mass awareness, and make medicines and healthcare service on hypertension available across the country.
Nonetheless, civil society organizations, mass media, and people of all skirts need to work in a collaborative way alongside the government to reduce the exponential prevalence and spread of hypertension.
Officials of the NCDC Program exchanged views with journalists on the issue in ‘Meet the Press’ event recently, in the Fars Hotel of the capital.
Observing World Health Hypertension Day, the NCDC Program of the DGHS, PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) jointly organized the event.
Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) supported the event. “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer” is this year’s theme for the observing day.
National Professor Brigadier (Rtd.) Abdul Malik, founder and President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh presided over the event.
Among discussants at the event GHAI Bangladesh Country Lead Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Professor and Head of Department of Epidemiology and Research Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury and Consultant Cardiologist and Deputy Director (Clinical) Dr. Mir Ishraquzzaman of the National Heart Foundation, and Executive Director of PROGGA ABM Zubair were present.
Director of the NCDC Program of the DGHS Professor Dr. Robed Amin said that “Prevalence of hypertension is rising exponentially. Combating this crisis requires concerted efforts from the health sector, along with other bodies of the government, civil society organizations, mass media and all others.”
It is highly important to build mass awareness around risks of hypertension related cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases, and adoption of healthy lifestyle, abstain from taking excessive salt, avoid intake of foods laden with saturated fats and trans fats, abstain from use of tobacco and alcohol, reduce excessive body weight or obesity, do physical exercise regularly and keep physically active.
Hypertension is dubbed a ‘silent killer’. In most cases, there are no specific warnings or symptoms for hypertension. Untreated hypertension can lead to heart attack and even stroke.
In addition, hypertension can cause kidney damage. Taking regular medication to control hypertension can reduce risks of heart diseases.
