Globally, the burden of high blood pressure, also called hypertension, is increasing. The same is the case here, as shown by the Nepal Demographic Health Survey-2022. The study found that over 20 percent of Nepalis above the age of 15 suffer from this condition. Untreated hypertension is a significant risk factor for potentially fatal health problems such as cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke) that account for 17.9 million deaths each year. It can also result in chronic kidney disease, dementia, and arrhythmia.

Countries around the world have, by 2030, pledged to cut hypertension rates by 33 percent. For this, several of them have policies to dissuade high intake of salt and saturated fat. Nepal too has increased taxes on the import of junk food and energy drinks; however, even with the increased prices, people are happily gulping them down. Alarmingly, 48 percent of women and 52 percent of men aged 15 and above with hypertension are not even aware they have the disease. This lack of awareness highlights a shortfall in efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NDCs) like hypertension. 

Reducing incidents of hypertension calls for more than governmental effort. Medical research shows a clear link between cardiovascular diseases and lifestyle choices, stressing the importance of self-care through lifestyle changes. By giving up smoking, reducing stress, exercising, getting regular checkups and consuming nutritious foods, people can greatly improve their health and well-being.

Similarly, governments and health authorities must take steps for hypertension prevention, early detection, and effective diagnosis and control. People must be educated on the risks of high blood pressure, and hypertension screening should be a top priority. In Nepal, where 15.1 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, regular health checkups may not be a feasible option for everyone. The larger trend is still for people to visit hospitals and healthcare centres only when they fall ill. Rather than only rely on occasional health camps, the goal should be to mobilise existing healthcare centres and volunteers for regular screenings at the local level. The same resources can be used to offer guidance on taking medication correctly and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Although the mid-day meal provided in government schools is commendable, there are still many students who are deprived of high-quality and nutritious food. Private schools should also prioritise offering nutritious meals to their students. Giving young children healthy and nourishing food from an early age reduces their risk of developing hypertension, obesity and other non-communicable diseases. Concomitantly, false advertising of junk foods as nutritious foods must be restricted.

With an increasing focus on communicable diseases, the prevalence of NCDs has risen, resulting in 41 million annual deaths, or 74 percent of all deaths around the world, with 77 percent of deaths related to NCDs occurring in low- and middle-income countries. A 2021 WHO report also revealed that the majority of hypertension patients live in these countries. The situation right now is bad enough. If the state is not serious about controlling NCDs like hypertension even now, it could have a health catastrophe on its hands.