Key Takeaways
- Hypertension affects 42 percent of Pakistani adults, according to cardiologists.
- Regular monitoring and treatment are crucial to reduce heart disease risk.
- Getz Pharma launches PREACH initiative to promote hypertension guidelines.
Cardiologists have warned that hypertension affects 42 percent of Pakistani adults, urging regular monitoring and timely treatment to reduce the risk of heart disease.
The warning came during more than 50 health screening camps held in 19 cities across Pakistan on World Heart Day, where over 10,000 adults received blood pressure checks.
Dr Ghazala Irfan, Associate Professor of Electrophysiology at NICVD, stated that hypertension affects one in three adults worldwide and often shows no obvious symptoms.
If left untreated, persistently high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels, heart, brain, and kidneys over time, she added.
Health experts identified high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, unhealthy food, and physical inactivity as major preventable risk factors behind Pakistan’s growing burden of cardiovascular disease.
Dr Fazal Aziz Mian, Director of PIMS Cardiac Centre, stressed the importance of prevention, timely screening, and medical care.
Dr Syed Nasir Ali Shah, a consultant cardiologist, called for greater public awareness and more physically active lifestyles.
The health camps were organized by Getz Pharma in 19 cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sukkur, and Quetta.
Participants with elevated readings were advised to seek medical evaluation and regular follow-up.
Awareness walks and educational sessions were also held at several hospitals, including Mayo Hospital Lahore, Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan, and Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology.
Getz Pharma has launched the PREACH initiative to promote national hypertension guidelines at the primary healthcare level and is training more than 450 general practitioners across the country.
The company is also conducting the PAK-SEHAT study with leading cardiologists to generate local evidence on cardiovascular risks and identify at-risk individuals before they develop heart disease.
