Hypertension: A silent predator

HYPERTENSION or high blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. In the UK more than one in four adults has high blood pressure, although many do not realize it. Hypertension causes the heart to work harder and puts both heart and arteries at greater risk of damage. According to medical science high blood pressure increases the risk of heart and coronary attacks, and has many other side effects like damages to kidney etc.

We do not have any reliable statistics on the number of people suffering from hypertension in Bangladesh although there are frequent reports of deaths from heart attacks. Heart attack or heart failure (as it is commonly known) has been one of the leading causes of death around the world and as such can no longer be ignored or overlooked. Obesity is a major cause of hypertension and the number of obese people is rising in the country. Fast food and sedentary lifestyle are two other reasons contributing to overweight of individuals. We have to be careful about our lifestyle and follow principles of good health as far as possible. We should discard smoking and banish junk foods from our life to remain healthy for ever. As has been rightly said that prevention is better than cure, we should guard ourselves against all risks posing threats to our life.

Imran Aziz

Niketon, Dhaka