KARACHI, June 20: Despite the fact that blood pressure is established to have a minimum 20 per cent prevalence in urban centres and 15 per cent in rural areas of the country , there is a need to spread awareness that mere control of hypertension is not enough but certain precautions are required to prevent wide range of hypertension induced diseases.

This was stated by Prof Nazir Ahmed Memon, Chairman, Cardiology Department, Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences while talking to APP here on Sunday. The senior cardiologist was in the city to participate in deliberations regarding a study called VALUE (Valsartan Long Term Use Evaluation Trial) conducted in 53 different countries involving more than 15,000 patients, aged 50 and above, with high blood pressure and additional cardiovascular risk factors or cardiovascular diseases.

Taking exception to the rampant misconception on part of people that medication needs to be discontinued once hypertension is brought under control, the cardiologist said that the trend should be effectively contained as it had severe implications for the patients.

He said that massive public awareness was required in this regard on part of medical professionals as well as media. He stressed that drug therapy for blood pressure was a life- long process and must be ensured without any failure to prevent numerous diseases like diabetes, heart attacks and so forth.

Prof Nazir Ahmed said that only five to six per cent of those inflicted with hypertension were believed to be fully conscious of the very fact while only three per cent of those were well aware of their ailment resort to proper compliance to the drug therapy.

However, he pointed out that irrational drug therapy should be strongly discouraged but medicines recommended by qualified medical professionals for blood pressures must not be discontinued at ones own whim or suggestions of non-medical individuals. -APP