Punjabis more prone to hypertension than Haryanvis: PGI
Punjabis more prone to hypertension than Haryanvis’: PGI
Studies conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh have found the prevalence of hypertension in Punjab at 40%. It is 15% more to Haryana (25%), experts say.
The reason is majorly- lack of exercise in Punjabis that makes them more prone to hypertension.
As per Dr JS Thakur, school of public health, PGI, over 5,000 people from each state were enrolled for the studies and these included participants from every district.
In Punjab, the prevalence of Hypertension and pre-hypertension was 40.1% and 40.8%. Only 30.1% knew they had hypertension or taking treatment, and among them nearly 61% had controlled blood pressure.
According to Dr Sanjay Jain, professor, internal medicine, PGIMER, “The exact cause of hypertension is not known but there are a few basic aggravating factors like high salt intake, obesity, lack of exercise, alcohol intake and others.”
In Haryana, only 11% people with insufficient physical activity were reported.
“The main reason for Haryana showing 25% hypertension data is that it has a state policy to promote sports and physical activities like yoga. Hence, Haryanvis are more physically active than Punjabis,” said Dr JS Thakur.
“The worrisome fact is a large burden of undiagnosed cases of hypertension exist among the adult population. It is likely that the high burden of pre-hypertension and hypertension is going to be the key driver of the epidemic of cardiovascular diseases in India,” Dr JS Thakur said.
Both the states are known for farm production, but people do not have a habit of eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. In Punjab, 96% people do not take five servings and in Haryana,it is 99%.
-PTC News
