A project called the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) finds that nearly 23% out of 2.1 million Indians have uncontrolled blood pressure.
About the Initiative
It was launched in 2017 to achieve the target of 25% relative reduction in prevalence of raised blood pressure.
The project aims toaccelerate implementation of quality hypertension treatment for over 15 crore people.
Launched bythe Health Ministry, the Indian Council of Medical Research, State Governments, and WHO.
Hypertension
Hypertension is defined as having systolic blood pressure level greater than or equal to 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure level greater than or equal to 90 mmHg or/and taking anti-hypertensive medication to lower his/her blood pressure.
Problem of Hypertension in India
About one-fourth of women and men aged 40 to 49 years have hypertension.
Southern States have a higher prevalence of hypertension than the national average, according to the latest edition of the National Family Health Survey.
While 21.3% of women and 24% of men aged above 15 have hypertension in the country, the prevalence is the highest in Kerala where 32.8% men and 30.9% women have been diagnosed with hypertension.
Kerala is followed by Telangana where the prevalence is 31.4% in men and 26.1% in women.
