Hypertension a growing health concern across all age groups: Punjab minister

Chandigarh: Over one crore people aged 30 and above have been screened for hypertension in health facilities and Aam Aadmi Clinics in Punjab, and 24 lakh enrolled for treatment, Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh said here on Sunday. May 16 is observed as World Hypertension Day. "The Punjab govt has strengthened screening, early diagnosis and treatment across Punjab. Regular screening is being conducted at all health facilities, including 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics, where people aged 30 years and above are being screened for hypertension and linked to timely treatment," the health minister said in a written statement. A govt functionary said, "Most hypertension patients in Punjab belong to the middle-aged and elderly population, with the heaviest burden seen among those between 40 and 80 years of age. Data from State Health Agency (SHA) reveals that Gurdaspur recorded patients as old as 94, while Mohali reported cases up to 98 years." As per the functionary, "Districts such as Patiala, Mohali, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Faridkot reported some of the highest and widest spreads of cases across both genders. In Amritsar and Ludhiana, hospital records show a particularly high concentration among women aged between 50 and 77 years." Dr Saurabh Sharma, associate professor and head of department of cardiology at Govt Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said, "Hypertension is no longer confined to old age. Modern lifestyles bring a different set of health challenges across all age groups. While the majority of hypertension cases are seen among people aged 40 to 90 and above, we are also witnessing cases in teenagers and people in their 20s and 30s." The health minister stated, "Punjab govt's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna (MMSY) is bringing significant relief to patients battling high blood pressure and related ailments by ensuring affordable and timely healthcare access." Pointing out that hypertension — often described by doctors as the "silent killer" — was emerging as "a growing health concern across all age groups," the health minister said, "Punjab govt is focusing on prevention, early detection and treatment." He also stated, "CM di Yogshala, a landmark initiative of the Punjab Govt aimed at making yoga accessible to every section of society, is promoting stress management and healthier lifestyles to help control hypertension and other lifestyle diseases." MSID:: 131155209 413 |