LAHORE: Neurosurgeon Prof Dr Anjum Habib Vohra says high blood pressure disease is on the rise in Pakistan.

He stressed upon the need to raise awareness among the general masses to overcome this menace.

Quoting some recent studies, he said the unbalanced lifestyle was one of the leading factors behind the increase in the risk of high blood pressure. Called as a silent killer, the blood pressure also leads to the paralysis, he said.

“Mostly elderly people are falling victim to this disease,” Prof Vohra said, adding the number of women facing this problem is higher than men in Pakistan, mostly living in urban areas.

A 40 per cent people of 40 years age group whereas 80 to 90 per cent of 50 years age group are suffering from the disease.

He suggested that light exercise, walk and cycling could be very useful preventive measures against this disease.

“People of all ages should prefer vegetables and fruit in their daily routine food,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2014