The survey, conducted by the Department of Dietetics at PGIMER, Chandigarh, from March 10-15, examined 60 hypertensive patients, primarily senior citizens. The participants, consisting of 60% males and 40% females, were assessed at the specialized diet clinics at the New OPD and the Advanced Cardiac Centre.
The survey, carried out from March 10-15, targeted 60 hypertensive patients, predominantly senior citizens (60% male and 40% female). The study was conducted at the specialized diet clinics located at the New OPD and the Advanced Cardiac Centre.
Among the surveyed patients, 40.9% mistakenly believed that high blood pressure is curable, while 17.4% reported using over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Furthermore, 48.6% admitted to being inconsistent with their hypertension medication, primarily due to skepticism about its necessity, while another 14.3% cited forgetfulness as the reason for missing doses.
In addition, 31.4% of participants had stopped their medication, assuming their blood pressure had normalized, while 21% sought alternative methods to manage their condition.
The survey also highlighted concerning health issues, with 9.1% of patients displaying early warning signs of kidney failure, including swelling in the feet and frequent nighttime urination. Of those surveyed, 37% had diabetes, with 17.4% reporting a family history of the disease. Lifestyle habits were also a concern, as 9% of patients were smokers and 13.04% consumed alcohol more than three times a week.
