Jebel Ali Hospital is stepping up its efforts to raise awareness on hypertension.

Hypertension is fast gaining ground as a silent killer and will assume epidemic dimensions if not addressed on a war footing, warned Jebel Ali Hospital.

An ongoing study by the new Dubai-based hospital reveals that increasing number of UAE residents are vulnerable to develop the condition on account of increasingly inactive lifestyle.

The results, released on the eve of World Hypertension Day, will also set pace for an increased activity by Jebel Ali Hospital in the field as is reflected by the free check-up camp being organised on the hospital premises, in addition to the ongoing free check-up camp at Ibn Battuta Mall.  

The ongoing initiative collated results from 11,008 samples and threw up an alarming 37.24 per cent to have above normal levels; which means that almost 4,100 people of those  tested had levels higher than the expected upper normal range 130/90. 

Globally, almost 1.5 billion people are hypertensive, and only 12 of them are adequately treated.

While several others who may have gone undetected altogether.

Those suffering from the condition are at a greater risk to get related heart diseases, renal failure or even severe retinal disorders.

The impact on the psychological well being of the patient is immense as well. If undetected these risks are manifold and can prove fatal, hence the silent killer!

“It is an alarming situation,” said Dr Suresh Menon, specialist physician at Jebel Ali Hospital.

“Inappropriate eating habits coupled with a lack of exercise and high pressure living are pushing the population towards a virtual epidemic.

“What is really worrying is that a majority of those suffering from the condition are not even aware of it.

“Often the pressures of their day- to-day life leave them little time to go for regular check-ups. This leaves them open to related risks.

“Close to 30 per cent of the population is at a risk of serious cardiovascular disorders on account of it being undiagnosed

Advet Bhambhani, chief executive officer of Jebel Ali Hospital, said:
 
“Awareness is the first step towards treatment and that is what we wish to encourage.

“We are tying up with corporate houses to conduct onsite testing camps apart from our initiatives at Ibn Battuta Mall and the hospital itself,” said Advet Bhambhani.

Several factors are attributed to a person being declared high risk.

Age is one of the primary factors.

Older people have a higher likelihood of developing hypertension compared to those that are young. Dietary pattern can impact blood pressure levels greatly.

The amount of salt intake and greasy food can prove to be lethal.

Smoking and heavy alcohol intake are other reasons which can impact the levels.

Additional factors include obesity and diabetes while hereditary also can play a major role.

Benefits of lowering blood pressure will reduce stroke by 35-40 per cent, Myocardial Infarction by 20-25 per cent and heart failure by 50 per cent.

Regular health check-ups, a healthy diet and exercise regimen and balanced lifestyle will ensure that this epidemic is contained.

Those diagnosed with the condition should modify their diet to reduce salt intake and get more exercise to lose weight.

They should undergo an annual health check-up for early detection of any severe diseases.

Globally, May 17 will be celebrated as the World Hypertension Day.

The trends across the continents show that cardiovascular diseases (CVD), are often related to arterial hypertension and are responsible for nearly 20 per cent of all deaths world-wide (nearly 10 million).

CVD are the principal cause of death in all developed countries accounting for 50 per cent of all deaths and a