Medical experts have warned that hypertension kills nearly 400,000 people in Pakistan every year, calling for urgent preventive action as high blood pressure cases rise among adults and younger age groups.
The warning was issued during a World Hypertension Day seminar organised by Dow University of Health Sciences in Karachi, where health professionals described hypertension as a silent killer linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and vision loss.
Dow University of Health Sciences Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Jehan Ara Hasan said around 1.4 billion people worldwide are living with hypertension, while nearly 10 million deaths each year are associated with the condition globally.
In Pakistan, about 33 million people suffer from high blood pressure, but only 12 percent have their condition under control. Experts said nearly half of those affected are unaware they have hypertension, increasing the risk of severe complications.
“Hypertension is a silent killer that leads to several life-threatening complications including stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and vision impairment,” Prof Hasan said, stressing the need for early diagnosis and lifestyle changes.
Experts urge early screening
Health professionals said prolonged uncontrolled hypertension damages blood vessels and vital organs, raising the risk of heart attacks, paralysis, kidney disease and blindness.
According to World Health Organization guidelines cited at the seminar, every adult above the age of 18 should have blood pressure checked at least once every two years for early detection and timely treatment.
Experts said many patients seek medical help only after symptoms such as headaches, breathing difficulty or nosebleeds appear, even though high blood pressure may already be damaging the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes.
They also warned that hypertension is increasingly being seen among younger people, including children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 20.
Lifestyle risks behind rising cases
Medical experts identified excessive salt intake, unhealthy diets, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, mental stress and sedentary lifestyles as major contributors to Pakistan’s growing hypertension burden.
They cautioned that tobacco use can significantly increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, while irregular use of prescribed medication remains a major challenge for patients already diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Experts said lifestyle changes could substantially reduce the risk of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases. These include healthier eating habits, regular physical activity, weight management, quitting smoking and reducing salt intake.
They called for a stronger national focus on preventive healthcare and urged the public to adopt healthier daily routines, including more physical activity and reduced dependence on cars.
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