Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Oct 22: Appealing the common populace to adopt a more preventive approach by monitoring their blood pressure periodically when hypertension is emerging as a public-health challenge worldwide and in majority of people going undiagnosed, Dr. Sushil Sharma, HoD Cardiology, GMC Jammu today conducted a day long camp in the Rajbagh area of Kathua to apprise the people about the benefits of monitoring blood pressure periodically.
More than 300 patients were examined, screened and diagnosed for various health ailments. The advent of blood pressure monitoring gives people a chance to take charge over their own health. Because high blood pressure is known as the ‘silent killer’ and often doesn’t present with any symptoms. People who take their own readings can adopt a more preventive approach to their wellbeing. There are three commonly used methods for measuring blood pressure for clinical purposes: clinic readings, self-monitoring by the patient at home, and 24-hour ambulatory readings. Such devices can record blood pressure from the upper arm, wrist, or finger, but the arm is preferred. High blood pressure can complicate, and even cause, several serious health problems, such as strokes, heart disease, and kidney disease. Monitoring blood pressure numbers and keeping them within a healthy range is vital for long-term good health and quality of life,” Dr Sharma said.
He added that normal blood pressure is a systolic pressure reading of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure reading of less than 80. High blood pressure is a systolic number of 140 or more, or a diastolic number of 90 or higher. “A systolic number of 180 or more or a diastolic number of 110 or more is a hypertensive crisis (extremely high blood pressure)—meaning it requires emergency medical care. Monitoring your blood pressure regularly can help you recognize and avert a hypertensive crisis. Several factors can affect our blood pressure reading, such as recent physical activity, sodium intake, and water consumption. Regular monitoring also helps keep us aware of sudden drops or spikes in our blood pressure that could indicate serious health problems requiring immediate medical attention,” Dr Sharma said.
Others, who were part of this awareness campaign, included Dr Kewal Sharma, Dr Dhaneshwar Kapoor and Dr Anitipal Singh. Paramedics and Volunteers include Kashmiri Lal, Sunil Raina, Akshay Kumar, Amandeep Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Shanail Gupta, Gourav Sharma, Rajinder Singh, Vikas Kumar, Rajeev Vohra and Raj Kumar.
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