High Blood Pressure Causes 400,000 Deaths Annually in Pakistan, Experts Warn
Dow University of Health Sciences Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Jahan Ara Hasan has said that around 400,000 people die every year in Pakistan due to high blood pressure.
She made these remarks while addressing an awareness seminar and panel discussion organized by the Dow Institute of Cardiology on the occasion of World Hypertension Day.
Professor Jahan Ara Hasan stated that nearly 1.4 billion people worldwide suffer from hypertension, while approximately 10 million deaths occur globally each year because of the condition. In Pakistan alone, annual deaths linked to high blood pressure have reached 400,000.
She warned that hypertension contributes to several serious health complications, including stroke, heart disease, kidney disorders, and vision impairment.
According to her, Dow University has prepared a plan to utilize more than 100 laboratory collection units across Karachi as basic healthcare centers where blood pressure monitoring and treatment facilities will also be available.
During the seminar, speakers noted that around 33 million people in Pakistan are suffering from high blood pressure. However, only 12 percent have their condition under control, while nearly 50 percent are unaware that they have hypertension.
Health experts also warned that uncontrolled high blood pressure has significantly increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes across the country.
