KARACHI, April 3: Medical experts, including a diabetologist and psychiatrists, have called upon locals to ensure the prevention of hypertension or its proper management to avoid a wide range of diseases.

Addressing a seminar held here to discuss precautionary measures to combat hypertension and cardiac ailments among diabetic patients under the aegis of Hope (Emerald), the experts reminded that the three conditions are inter-related and require a careful and stringent management programme.

Dr Syed Mukhtar Ahmed, a senior diabetologist and professional member of the American Diabetic Association, mentioned that hypertension and heart ailments among local diabetic patients was on a constant surge.

Adequate intervention with provision for both proper medication and a healthy lifestyle can help diabetic patients avoid complications with particular reference to hypertension and heart diseases, besides renal and neurological complications, he said.

The diabetologist, on the basis of his experience as a doctor, however, regretted that people have yet to realize the severity of the silent killer commonly known as hypertension.

According to him, there exists a vicious circle and each hypertensive person is prone to develop diabetes or cardiac disease, while a diabetic is also likely to be hypertensive and be inflicted with heart ailment.

Possible damage can be prevented through proper management of the disease, he reiterated, mentioning that otherwise every third diabetic may be suffering from hypertension or cardiac ailment.

Dr Anjum Bashir, a psychiatrist associated with Liaquat National Hospital and Dr Saiqa from the Aga Khan University Hospital explicitly discussed measures required to be adopted by individuals to avoid hypertension and also steps to contain the same among those already afflicted with it.

According to the psychiatrists, strong willpower is required on part of the individual to face the situation, coupled with positive thinking and a healthy lifestyle.

The two psychiatrists also referred to the positive role that can be played by family members of the patients to help the latter avoid severe consequences as well as complications of hypertension.

The programme was largely attended by patients as well as their family members. Presentations were followed by a question-answer session.

The coordinator of Hope (Emerald) mentioned that this was part of a regular series of public-awareness sessions aimed at providing proper guidance to the masses regarding emerging ailments.—APP