World Hypertension Day: A special public awareness campaign was organized on the occasion of World Hypertension Day at AIIMS Bhopal. Experts from the institute educated youth and the public about the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) and measures to prevent it.
Dr. Girish Bhatt, a specialist from the Department of Pediatrics, highlighted that hypertension in children often develops without noticeable symptoms and acts as a “silent killer.”
Citing a study conducted in Bhopal, he mentioned that out of 60 adolescents, 26.7% showed signs of end-organ damage, which could potentially lead to sudden organ failure in the future. This finding not only reflects the rising trend of high blood pressure among children but also underscores the need for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Dean (Academics), Dr. Rajnish Joshi, referred to an ICMR-supported study conducted across 16 regions of Bhopal. The study examined 5,673 individuals aged above 30 years, out of which 26% were found to have high blood pressure. Surprisingly, among 3,188 individuals, 170 were newly diagnosed with hypertension within just one year. These statistics make it evident that the disease is increasingly affecting the younger population.
On this occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh said, “High blood pressure is no longer confined to the elderly. Today, it is rapidly affecting the youth as well, which is a matter of serious concern. Awareness, timely screening, and lifestyle modifications are the most effective means of prevention. The objective of World Hypertension Day is to alert citizens about this silent disease and to motivate them towards active health management.”
Experts at AIIMS Bhopal emphasized that adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular blood pressure monitoring, and timely treatment are essential. Awareness is the most effective way to prevent this condition.
