Article:
The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) project reveals that about 23% of 2.1 million Indians are contending with uncontrolled high blood pressure, a situation that demands urgent attention and mitigation measures. Managing hypertension in about 25 million individuals can prevent up to 500,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease in the next decade.
Understanding Hypertension
Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the body’s arterial walls, the primary blood vessels within the body. It becomes a concern when it rises above normal levels, leading to hypertension. This condition is generally categorised by a systolic blood pressure level of 140 mmHg or higher, diastolic blood pressure level of 90 mmHg or more, or necessitating anti-hypertensive medication to lower blood pressure.
A worrying statistic reveals that Southern Indian states have a higher prevalence of hypertension than the national average. Kerala tops this list, with 32.8% men and 30.9% women affected, followed closely by Telangana. Nationwide, hypertension affects 21.3% of women and 24% of men over the age of 15.
WHO’s Response to Hypertension
In response to the increasing threat posed by hypertension, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines in 2021 on the pharmacological treatment of hypertension in adults. The guideline made evidence-supported recommendations regarding the commencement of hypertension treatment and suggested intervals for follow-up.
The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)
Initiated in November 2017, the IHCI initially spanned 26 districts across five states – Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. By December 2020, it had expanded to cover 52 districts across ten states – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal.
The Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research, State Governments, and WHO-India, launched a five-year initiative to monitor and treat hypertension on a large scale. This effort aligns with India’s commitment to the “25 by 25” goal, which seeks to reduce premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025. One of the nine voluntary targets within this goal includes decreasing the prevalence of high blood pressure by 25% by 2025.
