Rise in Hypertension Cases in MaduraiRise in Hypertension Cases in Madurai Factors such as stress, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise have contributed to a significant increase in hypertension cases among the residents of Madurai district. Data from the state health department reveals that 2.51 lakh individuals (11% of the population) suffer from hypertension, with the majority being in their forties. During the initial phase of the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM) program, screenings conducted by volunteers identified 1,23,024 individuals with hypertension. A subsequent intensive campaign revealed that the number of affected individuals had risen to 2.51 lakh. Experts attribute the rise in hypertension to unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. Dr. Rathinavel, former dean of Government Rajaji Hospital, emphasized that regular exercise is crucial for burning off excess calories consumed through high-calorie foods. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy sleep patterns as disturbed sleep can exacerbate hypertension-related complications. The coordinator of the Red Cross Society (Madurai), A Rajkumar, pointed to mindset, eating habits, and alcohol consumption as significant factors influencing hypertension. The intense emotional expressions characteristic of Madurai’s residents and irregular eating habits contribute to the increased incidence of the disease. According to District Health Officer Dr. P Kumaraguruparan, the initial MTM screening identified 123,024 individuals with hypertension. However, many were reluctant to receive treatment or follow-up appointments at rural Primary Health Centers (RPHC). Consequently, the actual number of affected individuals is estimated to be around 2.51 lakh, primarily among those over 40 years of age. Hypertension poses a significant threat to health, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious illnesses. It is essential to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent or manage hypertension, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper rest.
MADURAI: Stress, poor eating habits and lack of exercise, among other factors, have led to a rise in hypertension cases among the residents and villagers of Madurai district. According to official data from the state health department, 2.51 lakh persons (11%) of the total district population (32.46 lakh) suffer from hypertension, and a majority of them are in their forties.
“In Madurai, 24.6 lakh persons of the total population are above 18 years. The first screening by volunteers of Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (MTM), during the early phase (January 2023) of the programme, detected 1,23,024 persons (5%) suffering from hypertension. Later, a more intensive campaign was carried out and 2.51 lakh persons were found to have fallen prey to the disease (June 2024),” the data said.
Speaking to TNIE, former dean of Government Rajaji Hospital Dr Rathinavel pointed out that lack of proper diet and exercise are the main reasons for hypertension. “In Madurai, except for daily wage earners, none of the population does any kind of exercise or activity. Even youngsters ride bicycles to travel through the streets. All the high-calorie food that we eat has to be burned off through exercise. Otherwise, it can lead to non-communicable diseases,” he said.
He further said that the increasing number of office jobs in Madurai also called for an emphasis on physical activities. Besides, one should maintain a good sleep pattern as disturbed sleep can also cause hypertension-related complications, he added.
When contacted, A Rajkumar, coordinator of Red Cross Society (Madurai), said, “Mindset, eating habits and alcohol are the major factors that influence hypertension. The mindset of the people of Madurai, who are known for their extreme expression of emotions, including love and anger, is another reason. Unplanned eating habits with excessive intake of fat and cholesterol, coupled with lack of adequate exercise, could also be a reason for the rising cases of hypertension.”
According to District Health Officer Dr P Kumaraguruparan, as many as 123,024 persons (5%) were suffering from hypertension in the district, as per the first MTM screening conducted 1.5 years ago. Accordingly, we provided them with medication and other help. However, many patients were reluctant and even avoided our volunteers, he said.
“Moreover, it was difficult to detect hypertension among the residents as the volunteers had to counsel and refer each patient to a rural Primary Health Centre (RPHC), even though many of them refused to visit the facility. The process was time-consuming and as per our findings, as many as 2.51 lakh people suffer from hypertension in Madurai, and most of them are above 40 years of age,” he said, adding that the patients were advised to undergo proper medical treatment, including exercise.
It is important to know that high blood pressure can lead to a number of health complications, including an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious illnesses.
