More than 1,100 residents in the state capital, including newspaper vendors, municipal workers and transport staff, were screened for hypertension and related conditions at free health camps held across the city to mark World Hypertension Day on Saturday. The initiative, led by the Chief Medical and Health Officers office, offered free testing, medical advice and the creation of health IDs. Six special camps for newspaper vendors were held — a first for the citys health department. At the Dainik Bhaskar office, Public Health Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel interacted with participants and praised the outreach efforts. Reaching the person standing last in the queue should be our top priority, he said. He added that these camps reflect Pandit Deendayal Upadhyays antyodaya vision of serving the most deprived. Patel called hypertension a silent killer and urged those over 30 to get screened regularly at government health centres. Screenings included tests for blood pressure, sugar, and haemoglobin. Camps also helped issue 45 Ayushman Bharat cards and 118 ABHA IDs. Family members of participants were also examined during the camps. At the ISBT camp, 170 municipal workers and 85 city bus staff were tested. Of these, 27 were found to have high blood pressure and 21 had raised blood sugar levels, prompting lifestyle and treatment advice. Similarly, 96 cases of hypertension and 72 of high blood sugar were recorded among 860 people screened in the newspaper vendor camps. Doctors provided personalised counselling and encouraged routine follow-ups at nearby clinics. Dr Prabhakar Tiwari, Chief Medical and Health Officer, noted that controlling blood pressure is vital to prevent heart attacks and strokes. He urged people to take advantage of free screenings at government facilities. Hypertension often shows no early symptoms but quietly damages blood vessels. Over time, it raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and even vision loss. Its estimated to cause 10 million deaths annually. Blood pressure is measured in mm Hg and has two numbers: systolic and diastolic. A reading above 130/80 mm Hg is considered hypertensive. Normal blood pressure is typically around 120/80 mm Hg. Readings between 120–129 systolic and under 80 diastolic indicate elevated pressure. This signals the need for immediate lifestyle changes to avoid permanent damage. Regular monitoring helps catch these warning signs early. Lifestyle factors like excess salt, processed food, obesity, inactivity, stress, alcohol and smoking contribute significantly. While genes play a role, daily choices are more often to blame for rising cases. Doctors recommend cutting salt intake to under 5 grams a day, eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and exercising for 30 minutes most days of the week to reduce risks. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and managing stress through mindfulness or therapy can also help control blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy weight is equally important for overall heart health. People over 40 and younger individuals with risk factors should check their blood pressure at least once a year. Home monitoring with guidance from doctors can be an effective way to stay informed. The theme for this years World Hypertension Day, Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer, reinforces the need for awareness, timely testing and responsible daily habits to prevent serious health issues. While government initiatives improve access and awareness, the first step starts at home — by recognising the threat, getting tested, and choosing a lifestyle that puts health before convenience.

Stay updated with all the Bhopal Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.