Karachi, Professor Nawaz Lashari, Head of the Department of Cardiology at Civil Hospital Karachi and President of the Pakistan Hypertension League, announced that the rate of hypertension in Pakistan has reached 44%, significantly higher than the global average of 33%. He revealed these figures during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club in observance of World Blood Pressure Day. Professor Lashari highlighted that a staggering 56% of hypertensive patients in Pakistan remain undiagnosed, posing severe risks like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.
According to Dow University of Health Sciences, the press conference saw contributions from prominent cardiologists who stressed the substantial economic and social impacts of untreated hypertension. They emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding vaping, and adopting the DASH diet to combat this public health challenge. The experts also underlined the critical role of regular exercise and stress management in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
Professor Feroze Memon pointed out the dire consequences of untreated high blood pressure, including the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. He urged for early detection and management to mitigate these risks. The meeting also addressed the rising prevalence of hypertension among younger populations, particularly young women, underscoring the necessity for tailored medical interventions based on individual health profiles.