Every time a Pakistani parent or elder tells you that you’re “giving them high blood pressure”, there’s a one in three chance that they’re actually correct and it’s not the melodrama talking. According to a statement made by Margaret Chan, Director of the World Health Organisation, 18 percent of adults, and 33 percent of adults above 45 years old in Pakistan have hypertension.
Unfortunately, only 50 percent of those are diagnosed and half of those diagnosed are treated. That means only 12.5 percent of cases are adequately being controlled. We need to do what we can to fill the gaps.
Firstly, let’s talk about the definition of high blood pressure. From a measurement perspective, a blood pressure reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal, and reading of 135/85 mmHg becomes a cause for concern, as it is classified as borderline high blood pressure.
From a pathological perspective (i.e. what’s really happening inside your body), high blood pressure refers to the high pressure that is exerted against artery walls when the heart pumps blood around the body. This high pressure occurs when arteries become narrow or constricted, or when the blood volume increases.
