It is month long global campaign led to raise awareness about raised blood pressure and its prevention
Raised blood pressure (BP) attributes to the leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality in India. Hypertension is attributable to 10.8 per cent of all deaths in India. To raise awareness about Hypertension, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), along with the International Society of Hypertension (PHFI), Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC), Association of Physicians of India (API) and over 50 partner institutions across the country are collaborating and engaging in a month long global campaign conceptualised by the International Society for Hypertension (ISH) – May Measurement Month 2018 to raise awareness and educate communities on steps to prevent Hypertension.
The campaign was launched and followed by a panel discussion by Prof Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR and Secretary, Department of Health Research, Prof D Prabhakaran, Vice President, PHFI and Executive Director and CCDC, Dr Manas Pratim Roy Deputy Assistant DG, DGHS, Dr C Venkata S Ram, Director, World Hypertension League/WHO (South Asia) and Editor-in-Chief, Hypertension Journal, Dr YP Munjal, Director-Physicians Research Foundation, Association of Physicians of India, Dr Narsingh Verma, Secretary General, Indian Society of Hypertension.
A screening of attendees was also done at the ICMR premises. Speaking at the launch of the campaign Prof Bhargava said,“In India, Hypertension or raised BP is one of the leading causes of premature deaths in India. Hypertension is directly responsible for 29 per cent of all stroke and 24 per cent of heart attacks in India. This is preventable with lifestyle modifications which include physical activity, yoga and dietary modifications. The aim of the campaign is to spread the message of prevention and encourage people across various age groups to check their blood pressure at regular intervals.”
Dr Roy added, “With the growing burden of disease and mortality due to raised blood pressure, it is imperative that a momentum is built among every member of the society in our country to check their blood pressure regularly across all age groups. I call upon health organisations, civil societies, institutions and physician associations across the country to be a part of this unique initiative and help spread awareness and prevention regarding raised blood pressure.”
Dr Prabhakaran said, “Hypertension or High BP is a major public health problem in India and its prevalence is rapidly increasing among both urban and rural populations. 2.6 lakh Indians die in India due to hypertension. Hypertension is now the most prevalent chronic disease in India. This stresses the need for its effective management and control and it highlights the huge impact it can have on the burden of Cardiovascular Diseases. Volunteer organisations/institutes have supported the May Measurement Month Initiative and in 2017 we have successfully screened over 2.5 lacs individuals. We hope more organisations and institutions join us in this movement and help us in screening and spreading awareness regarding raised blood pressure among even more individuals in the 2018 edition of the campaign.”
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