Medical experts across Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals and Apollo Cradle insist patients to get their blood pressure checked to stall non-communicable diseases, retinal venous occlusion & maternal-fetal-neonatal morbidity among others.
 
On the occasion of the World Hypertension Day observed annually on May 17, the doctors are focusing on preventive care to drive early detection blood pressure which if uncontrolled could be morbid and fatal.
 
According to the World Health Organisation, hypertension affects around 1.13 billion globally. Uncontrolled hypertension causes heart attack, stroke, dementia and kidney failure.
 
Narayana Health through 7 network hospitals organized a ‘Know Your BP’ campaign from May 10 to 17, 2017. “Public awareness for hypertension is essential as it is a silent killer. It increases the tendency for stroke and heart attacks. Hence, the campaign- emphasized a healthy lifestyle, Dr Jai Babu, Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist, Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Whitefield.
 
From an ophthalmology perspective too, hypertension is a risk factors for retinal venous occlusion. This is the second most threatening disorder after diabetic retinopathy, Dr Ashraya Nayaka T E, Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals told Pharmabiz.

Globally around 16.5 million suffer from retinal venous occlusion with hypertension as the primary cause of this condition. There is no data for India in the absence of formal registry to track the cases, which impacts those above 40 years. The ratio of male to female is 3:1. Since its manifests with age and with the rise in life expectancy, there is considerable concern for ophthalmologists in India because it could result in vision loss and other eye disorders, explained Dr Nayaka.
 
“Despite access to new drugs to treat retinal venous occlusion, Dr Nayaka said that Aflibercept by Bayer is priced around Rs. 50,000 and will need to be administered every month. Another drug, Ranibizumab by Novarits helps treat macular edema. Therefore, the challenge is expensive treatment and its detection only at a late stage. Of the 4,500 patients visiting our hospital in a month, 10 per cent account for conditions with hypertension,” he said.
 
“In pregnancy, hypertension causes maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The fetus has an increased risk of intrauterine growth restriction, leading to prematurity and talaity. Its management depends on BP control, gestational age and blood flow in the placenta. Non-pharmacological management is recommended but not during maternal and fetal risk factors”, said Dr Leena N Sreedhar, consultant, Apollo Cradle.