Mumbai: There has been a 25 per cent rise in cases of hypertension in the state compared to last year, according to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS). Nearly 2.59 lakh cases were reported in 2018-19, 50,000 more than the 2.06 lakh cases reported in 2017-2018. Health experts have identified two major factors for this: sedentary lifestyle and stress.
“The numbers have increased as more people are coming forward for check-ups, which reveal they are suffering from hypertension,” explained official.
According to health experts, hypertension in India is rising at an alarming rate. However, for lack of awareness about early diagnosis and treatment, people initially ignore symptoms and by the time they find out, they have already suffered severe complications like life-threatening strokes and heart attacks.
“Stress and unhealthy diet are two reasons teenagers are most likely to develop high blood pressure. Obesity, peer and work pressure which leads to increase in stress are the major reasons of rise in the cases of hypertension in the city. Lack of exercise, inadequate water intake and inadequate nutrition are the major causes that lead to hypertension,” said Dr Salil Shirodkar, consultant cardiologist, Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital.
According to cardiologist Dr Anil Sharma, “Every third person in Mumbai is beset with hypertension but unfortunately, no one comes for treatment as they are unaware that they have the condition. For lack of awareness people do not come forward for treatment.”
Students, are the most affected by this, as they are under constant pressure to prove themselves in an intensely competitive world. “We students face pressure in school, college as well as from our parents. We are expected to perform our very best all the time, which leaves us with virtually no time for leisure. Parents also compare us to participants of various reality shows and want us to achieve fame and success, just like them,” said students.
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