Is Pakistan Ignoring Its Hypertension Crisis?

News Desk

Islamabad: As World Hypertension Day is observed globally today (May 17, 2025), medical experts are sounding the alarm over the growing prevalence of high blood pressure—described by healthcare professionals as a “silent killer”—amid widespread public inaction and lifestyle neglect.

Speaking on Samaa TV, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin, Executive Director of the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), expressed concern over the alarming rate at which hypertension is spreading, particularly among the youth.

“One in four individuals over the age of 40 suffers from hypertension,” he revealed, attributing the surge to chronic stress, work-related pressures, sedentary routines, and increasingly unhealthy dietary habits.

Despite growing awareness campaigns, the response from both the public and policymakers has been insufficient. Prof Mohiuddin stressed that persistently high blood pressure—levels exceeding 140 mmHg—requires immediate medical intervention to prevent fatal complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

Yet, preventive healthcare remains a low priority in Pakistan’s health agenda.

“The rise in artificial lifestyles has significantly increased the number of patients with high blood pressure,” he noted. “Among younger populations, the use of vapes and smoking are key drivers, yet little has been done to regulate these products or promote healthier alternatives.”

While urging individuals to adopt a minimum of 30 minutes of daily physical activity and embrace diets rich in fruits and vegetables, Prof Mohiuddin also called for a drastic reduction in the consumption of salt, ghee, and spicy foods. However, such advice often falls flat in the face of aggressive marketing by food corporations and a lack of affordable, accessible healthy food options for the average citizen.

Health experts argue that without systemic changes—such as improved public health education, stricter regulations on harmful substances, and greater investment in preventive care—Pakistan’s hypertension crisis will continue to worsen, silently claiming lives across generations.