Hypertension Scenario in Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Employees – A Study

Abstract

Hypertension is a major public health problem in developed as well as in developing countries. Most of the time it is diagnosed when the organ system has been damaged, hence it is known as silent killer. Another factor regarding hypertension is that once the person develops hypertension it persists throughout life because its etio-pathogenesis is yet unknown. Hypertension is a major factor for cardiovascular mortality and it ranks fourth worldwide. Its prevalence is escalating in different geographical locations of the world, especially in India due to unfavorable modifications of the lifestyle and dietary habits. The only way to control and to prevent hypertension is to educate the people about risk factors and preventive strategies. The present study was planned with an objective to know the prevalence of hypertension in BMTC employees. The study was cross sectional field based survey conducted in BMTC employees of Summanhalli Depot, Bangalore. Three readings of blood pressure were recorded, of either sex, between the age of 30-50, and their average was calculated. The duration of study was 6 months. The sample size was 535. The study revealed 14.02% prevalence of HTN in studied sample. Mild, moderate and severe grade of hypertension were found in 58.67%, 17.33% and 5.66% volunteers respectively. In the present study 8% and 30.67% volunteers were of ISH and IDH respectively. The prevalence was significantly higher in the aged volunteers.