A recent health survey in Kathmandu has uncovered troubling numbers that reveal a growing health crisis among the city residents. Thirty-nine percent of the population aged 30 and above residing in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City suffers from high blood pressure, according to a study carried out by the municipal health department.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition in which an individual’s blood pressure remains elevated over time. It is an established risk factor for ischemic heart disease (also known as coronary heart disease), stroke, and kidney diseases.

“Of those suffering from high blood pressure, 13 percent were unaware of their condition, and around three percent were not taking medications despite knowing their health problems,” said Dhanendra Shrestha, a public health inspector at the department. “Those who are not taking any medications despite knowing are young people who think that they can handle the problem by controlling diet and exercise. They also worry about high treatment costs.”

Multiple studies in the past have shown an increase in prevalence of non-communicable diseases—hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone), among others. Changes in dietary patterns such as increased consumption of processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, rising stress levels are blamed for it. Health officials say that preliminary findings of health screening of the general population above 30 by the city office are alarming.

Officials say health screening was conducted on 26,019 people in December and January from 256 locations in the metropolis, including 32 urban health promotion centres. Tests were carried out to check blood pressure levels, diabetes, behavioural risk factors—smoking and alcohol intake—and renal function. Officials say the report is based on 14,210 people, and data of the remaining people who took part in the health screening is being updated.

Shrestha said they found five percent of people in the metropolis were newly diagnosed with diabetes, while 14.5 percent of those who underwent testing said that they already had the disease. Officials say another 2.4 percent of people were found not taking medications despite knowing that they have high blood sugar levels, and the reason is the same—young people who think that they can control the problems by changing their diet and exercising regularly, and those who are worried about high medical bills.

Altogether, 22 percent of the metropolis residents above 30 are diabetic.

Eight percent and 12 percent of the population who underwent health screening said they had their blood pressure and blood sugar levels examined for the first time, respectively.

Screening shows that nine percent of the population, both males and females above 30, smoke regularly, and nearly eight percent occasionally. Likewise, 3.4 percent of the population of this age group consume alcohol regularly, and 23.7 percent occasionally.

Officials say that free screenings for non-communicable diseases were carried out to raise awareness of risk factors, which will ultimately help cut the disease burden.

Doctors say most patients suffering from non-communicable diseases seek treatment when the problems worsen, and in many cases, it is too late.

If the problems are identified at an initial stage, complications can be prevented, and prevention costs far less than treatment, according to them.

Non-communicable diseases—hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, liver problems, heart problems, and cervical cancer, among others—have emerged as major killers in recent years, accounting for around 80 percent of total deaths.

According to a 2019 study on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases by the Nepal Health Research Council, 71 percent of total deaths at present were due to non-communicable diseases, and an additional eight percent of deaths were linked to injuries.

A recent report published in The Lancet, a leading international medical journal, last week warned that half of Nepal’s adult population will be overweight or obese by 2050.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population has also completed a nationwide campaign against non-communicable diseases in which testing for hypertension, diabetes, renal function, and body mass index measurement was carried out free of cost.