Cardiologists have estimated that hypertension affects 42 percent of Pakistani adults, urging regular monitoring and timely treatment to reduce the risk of heart disease.
They made the remarks at more than 50 health screening camps held in 19 cities across Pakistan, where over 10,000 adults received blood pressure checks on World Heart Day.
Doctors said 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.
They stressed that regular blood pressure screening at community and primary-care levels is essential.
The cardiologists said a single high reading does not confirm hypertension and that diagnosis requires repeat measurements and clinical assessment.
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.
They said high blood pressure and cholesterol can be detected before causing a heart attack or stroke, but patients must get checked and continue treatment if prescribed.
NICVD Associate Professor of Electrophysiology Dr Ghazala Irfan urged people to adopt healthier lifestyles and monitor their cardiovascular risk factors regularly.
PIMS Cardiac Centre Director Dr Fazal Aziz Mian stressed the importance of prevention, timely screening and medical care.
PIMS consultant cardiologist Dr Syed Nasir Ali Shah called for greater public awareness and more physically active lifestyles.
Organisers said the health camps were held 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.
Doctors advised people to reduce salt intake, avoid tobacco, improve their diet and stay physically active.
They also urged the public to get their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly.
Getz Pharma has also 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.
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