Hypertension Is Common But Grossly Neglected: Experts

By SUNAINA MORE | INNLIVE

Hypertension is a very common but a grossly neglected disease. Untreated hypertension can lead to serious complications like brain stroke, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure and retinal problems.

ENT specialist Siddharth Yande said, "Not many people know that obstructive sleep apnoea, a sleep disorder, is also a risk factor for hypertension. Proper treatment in time can definitely help control hypertension and reduce the risk of complications."

"Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a serious sleep disorder in which there are obstructive episodes in sleep leading to a drop in blood oxygen levels during sleep. He added that obese people who have obstructive sleep apnoea should be extra careful of hypertension and any hypertensive person who has snoring must get himself or herself checked for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome,"Yande said.

To avoid this, screening for hypertension and proper treatment for the same is a very important step, say experts.

Pune chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has decided to take a small step by checking blood pressure of patients free of cost May 17. The state IMA has requested all its 37,000 plus members to volunteer free BP checkup at their clinics and hospitals.