If you are a woman and think that your hormones can protect you from being a part of the rising army of hypertensive adults and you can go light on the extra salt, here's a number.
From 10 per cent women of 6328 women screened for lifestyle related disorders in 2012 by a company that works for preventive health coming in the hypertensive category, the same number rose to 22 per cent women out of 9228 screened in 2013. A near 100 per cent increase in merely a year's time. The survey was conducted by Pune's Indus Health Plus.
Are the numbers giving you an unrealistic picture? May be yes or no. Doctors may disagree with the sheer increase in numbers in such a short-span but there is definitely a jump in numbers.
Dr Shailendra Date, practicing physician at the Sahyadri Hospital in the city said, "I receive 7 to 8 patients a week who are afflicted by hypertension. The awareness about this disease has now increased among Puneites."
Rahul Pandit, consulting international cardiologist at Ruby Hall Clinic said, "Untill few years ago 6-12% of people had hypertension. Now this number has gone upto 25% to 40%."
Dr Abhay Mutha, practicing diabetologist at Ruby Hall said, "Out of the 15,000 patients registered at my clinic, about 8,000 have hypertension."
Besides, hypertension no longer remains a disease that afflicts just men, now the fairer sex is falling prey to it. Dr Date said, "Hypertension is generally more prevalent in men than it is in women. However, these numbers are fast equalising. However, the effects of hypertension on health are the same for both men and women."
An analysis of Pune Municipal Corporation's statistics show that from two deaths reported in 2002 due to hypertension-related complications the numbers rose to 1149 by 2011. Doctors advise taking steps early or the loss may be big including heart disease, diabetes or even kidney failure.
The survey pointed out to common lifestyle factors which are responsible for this change and increase in number of patients. Changes in lifestyle including eating and sleeping habits, excessive smoking and drinking, and lack of exercise are the culprits.
Dr Pandit said that hypertension can lead to an expansion of body muscles. This has a direct effect on longevity and survival. Hypertension leads to heart attack and heart failure, where the heart starts pumping blood more slowly than the body requires.
Dr Abhay Mutha, diabetologist said, "Diabetes and hypertension go hand in hand and both these diseases have the same effect on the human body. Those suffering from hypertension have higher chances of getting diabetes."
Staying safe
1. Get your BP checked regularly
2. Avoid salts and processed foods that have high content of Sodium
3. Quit Smoking and alcohol
4. Do aerobic exercises daily
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