PHFI Study Says Hypertension Affects Women More After 50s Than Men

As the study has brought back conversation around the awareness of hypertension, here is the following information that you need to know about hypertension.

PHFI Study Says Hypertension Affects Women More After 50s Than Men

New Delhi: According to a study by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Indian women in their 50s are more likely than men in the same age group to have hypertension. Perhaps, the first study to comprehensively demonstrate that cardio-metabolic risk in Indian females surpasses males after 50 years of age, busts the myth that Indian females are always at much lower risk than males. The aim of the study is to inform the healthcare sector of the country to prioritise older women for screening and treatment of hypertension.

As the study has brought back conversation around the awareness of hypertension, here is the following information that you need to know about hypertension; 

What Is Hypertension: Symptoms, Causes, And Preventive Measures? 

“Hypertension kills more adults than any other cause. Treatment of people with a high risk of CVD is one of the best buys recommended by the WHO and scaling hypertension treatment and control can save millions of lives in the next decade,” says Dr Roderico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that hypertension is a leading global cause of premature death. According to the World Health Organization, hypertension is a condition in which the force of blood flow against the walls of the body's arteries, the principal blood vessels, is elevated. When blood pressure is excessively high, it is called hypertension.

Symptoms Of Hypertension: 

Hypertension is called a "silent killer". Most people with hypertension are unaware of the problem because it may have no warning signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is essential that blood pressure is measured regularly.

Common Symptoms Found: Early morning headaches, Nosebleeds, Irregular Heart Rhythms, Vision Changes, and Buzzing in the ears. 

Severe Hypertension Symptoms: Fatigue, Nausea, Vomiting, Confusion, Anxiety, Chest Pain, And Muscle Tremors.

What Are The Causes of Hypertension: 

Hypertension causes serious damage to the heart. Excessive pressure can harden arteries, decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. This elevated pressure and reduced blood flow can cause:

• Chest pain is also called angina.
• A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked and heart muscle cells die from lack of oxygen. The longer the blood flow is blocked, the greater the damage to the core.
• Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to other vital body organs.
• An irregular heartbeat can lead to sudden death.

Hypertension can also burst or block arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the brain, causing a stroke.

In addition, hypertension can cause kidney damage, leading to kidney failure.

What Are The Preventive Measures For Hypertension? 

Reducing hypertension prevents heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage, as well as other health problems. As per the official website of the WHO following are the preventive measures that can prevent hypertension: 

Prevention

• Reducing salt intake (to less than 5g daily).
• Eating more fruit and vegetables.
• Being physically active on a regular basis.
• Avoiding the use of tobacco.
• Reducing alcohol consumption.
• Limiting the intake of foods high in saturated fats.
• Eliminating/reducing trans fats in the diet.

What Could Be The Possible Reasons For Women Being More Prone To Hypertension After The 50s?

The author of the study Prof Parimala Mohanty noted that “the result clearly shows that after attaining 50 years of age, Indian women had more risk of developing hypertension than men of comparable age, busting the myth that women are less susceptible to such conditions lifelong. This is similar to what other studies have found in many western nations, despite large socio-cultural differences, between India and the West. Hence, this study dispels another commonly-prevailing perception in Indian society that Indian women may be less prone than western women to hypertension ailed cardiac disease because of their traditional lifestyle.”

Another author of the study, Prof Ambarish Dutta said that “Age-related rise in blood pressure in women is sharper than the men, the women -men difference keeps widening as age further increases.” 

The phenomenon of women taking over the men after their 50s is happening due to the post-menopausal bio-hormonal changes, senior author of the study Dr. Lipilekha Patnaik reported. 

What Is The Indian Hypertension Control Initiative? 

The Indian Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is a multi-partner initiative of the Government of India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), WHO Country Office for India (WHO India), and Resolve to Save Lives (Technical partner). 

India has set a target of a 25% relative reduction in the prevalence of hypertension (raised blood pressure) by 2025. To achieve this, it is important to fast-track access to treatment services by strengthening interventions such as the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI). 

What According To The Study Is A Matter Of Concern? 

The most important contribution of the study is the deconstruction of the popular misconception that females, especially in India, are less predisposed to cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. 

The study also highlights how frequently exclusively men are portrayed as victims of cardiovascular events in popular media, including movies and TV shows as well as the market (advertising for healthcare services and products). The quick development of its service coverage could be misdirected by the pervasive common misunderstanding, and women run the risk of falling behind. In order to properly diagnose and treat Indian women in their older years, gender sensitivity must be extensively incorporated into various healthcare programmes of the government.