‘Controlling hypertension a must for reducing heart disease’
Speakers at a PROGGA webinar came up with the suggestion
Prevalence of heart diseases in Bangladesh is rising alarmingly, mostly owing to hypertension, speakers at a webinar said.
One in every five adults, 21% to be exact, at present are suffering from hypertension, they say, adding the situation can deteriorate drastically if effective measures are not taken.
Research and advocacy organisation PROGGA, in collaboration with Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), organised the event titled "World Health Day and Hypertension" on Saturday marking World Health Day, said a press release.
GHAI Bangladesh Country Lead Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, President of Bangladesh Health Reporters' Forum Rashed Rabbi, Executive Director of PROGGA ABM Zubair, and National Heart Foundation Research Fellow Dr Shamim Jubayer, among others, took part in the programme.
Hypertension increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases and related mortality by manifolds, they said, adding that it could cause stroke and kidney damage, as well.
The government had a target of reducing the prevalence of hypertension by 25% within 2025, as part of its effort to prevent non-communicable diseases.
To achieve the target, the webinar participants called for building mass awareness on the issue coupled with ensuring hypertension treatment and drugs supply at all health care centres, reads the release.