Nagpur: More than 38% of adult population of Vidarbha is taking medicines for high blood pressure while 20%-plus people are taking insulin or medicines to control blood sugar, reveals latest figures of the National Family Health Survey 5.
This means more than 75 lakh people in Vidarbha take BP pills and about 40 lakh control their blood sugar with the help of medicines. Referred to as lifestyle diseases and silent killers, both diabetes and hypertension have reached almost every household. Realizing their impact, NFHS for the first time included the blood sugar level and blood pressure as vital parameters in its questionnaire.
According to this survey, 49.5% people in Maharashtra were having elevated blood pressure (Systolic ≥140mm of Hg and/or Diastolic ≥90mm of Hg) and/or are taking medicine to control it. At the same time 29.9% population of the state has blood sugar level high or very high (≥ 140 mg/dl) and/or are taking medicines to control blood sugar level.
Thus prevalence of these non-communicable diseases is less in Vidarbha. National figures of these diseases are yet to be announced.
Further analysis of Vidarbha figures has many surprises. Washim, which is dominated by rural population has highest 43% population taking medicines for BP control. It is followed by Chandrapur, Bhandara and Gondia, all above 40%. Wardha (31%) is lowest in Vidarbha. As far as medication for sugar control is concerned, Nagpur leads Vidarbha with 23.5% population taking insulin tablets/injections or other drugs. Washim, at 17.2%, has least prevalence of diabetes.
“Earlier, we used to worry about 50-60 years age group. But for Indians, 35-40 years is the new watch age for hypertension which is 15 years younger than western population,” said cardiologist Dr Amar Amale. “Even if you are in your 30s or in 50s, warning signs should not be ignored,” he said.
Commenting on Vidarbha having fewer patients on sugar control medication compared to Maharashtra, diabetologist Dr Sunil Gupta said many people here were still unaware of their sugar status. “Our surveys in and around Nagpur show many more people have high to very high blood sugar levels but they don’t know it,” he said.
Dr Gupta said apart from taking medicines to control sugar, diabetes teaches people to follow ideal routine, diet control and disciplined lifestyle.
BLOOD PRESSURE
District
% of adults taking medicine to control blood pressure
Women
Men
Total
Nagpur
21.3
18.3
39.6
Akola
19.4
19.1
38.5
Amravati
19.8
18.7
38.5
Bhandara
21.8
19.3
41.1
Chandrapur
20.7
20.6
41.3
Gadchiroli
17
17.2
34.2
Gondia
21.8
18.9
40.7
Wardha
17.1
14
31.1
Washim
21.9
21
42.9
Yavatmal
17.2
18.2
35.4
Buldhana
NA
NA
NA
Vidarbha total
19.8
18.53
38.33
MAHARASHTRA
23.8
25.7
49.5
THOSE WHO TAKE MEDICINE FOR SUGAR CONTROL
District
% of adults taking medicine to control blood sugar level
Women
Men
Total
Nagpur
10.7
12.8
23.5
Akola
9.6
9.8
19.4
Amravati
10.3
13.1
23.4
Bhandara
10.5
10.1
20.6
Chandrapur
8.8
11.3
20.1
Gadchiroli
7.3
10.3
17.6
Gondia
7.9
10.2
18.1
Wardha
9
10.4
19.4
Washim
8.1
9.1
17.2
Yavatmal
10.6
10.7
21.3
Buldhana
NA
NA
NA
Vidarbha total
9.28
10.78
20.6
MAHARASHTRA
14.6
15.3
29.9