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Diagnosis of hypertension
Why is it in the news?
- As per a recent study, nearly 42% Indians are either misdiagnosed or have missed diagnosis of hypertension.
More in the news
- Hypertension is essentially high blood pressure.
- The normal values of high blood pressure measured in the clinic are 140/90 mm Hg and at home is 135/85 mm Hg. Values more than these are termed as hypertension.
White coat hypertension:
- The study covering 18,918 Indians has revealed nearly 24% people had white coat hypertension- a syndrome wherein a patient records high BP when measured in a doctor’s clinic.
Masked hypertension:
- Around 18% Indians had masked hypertension - a syndrome wherein a person records normal BP at a clinic, but records a spike when measured at home.
Risks : Stroke, heart attack, heart failure, Kidney disease, aneurysm etc.
Study:
- The study shows the urgent need for a better clinical management of hypertension in the country.
- On one hand, there's white coat hypertensives getting unnecessary medication and on the other, we have masked hypertensives who don’t get medication. Both situations are equally dangerous.
- Masked hypertensives are mostly those who have unexplained kidney disease.