Hypertension is no longer a secret illness in modern society. Dedicated Community Health Officers (CHOs) and ANMs are conducting screenings at health and wellness centres, sub-centres, and even door-to-door, thanks to the strong efforts of India’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), also known as the NCD program. Regular counselling is conducted, medication is given, and follow-ups are maintained. However, even with this system in place, the number of persons with uncontrolled hypertension is still rising. Even when we are actively diagnosing and monitoring it, why does this still occur?
Not a Medical, But a Behavioural Battle
These days, hypertension is more of a behavioural issue than a diagnostic one. Most people are aware of what blood pressure is. Theirs might have even been measured more than once. However, knowledge is insufficient. When told they have high blood pressure, many patients just don’t take it seriously. Some people think it is the result of transient stress and will go away on its own. Others stay away from medicine due to a widespread misconception:
If I start taking BP medicine, I’ll get used to it. I’ll have to take it forever. This hesitancy results in inconsistent or inadequate treatment. This “silent” illness damages the brain, eyes, kidneys, and heart over time.
The Misconception About BP Medication
One of the biggest obstacles to hypertension control is the fear of lifelong medication. Many people wrongly equate taking a daily tablet with being “weak” or “addicted.” This prevents them from starting treatment, even after repeated advice from healthcare providers.
In truth, taking BP medication is no different than wearing glasses for poor vision or using insulin for diabetes. It is not a habit, it is a lifesaving support that prevents strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure.
Screening Is Not the Weak Link
In many regions of the nation, the NCD program is operating effectively. Regular screenings, follow-up registries, and the assignment of high-risk patients to primary care teams are all carried out by qualified healthcare professionals. Indeed, the fieldwork, counselling, and regular follow-up visits of CHOs and ANMs are commendable. However, despite these efforts, the public’s poor adherence to or refusal of treatment continues to be an obstacle. When they “feel better,” some patients quit taking their medications after taking them for a few days. Others use home cures that haven’t been proven to work without telling their healthcare providers. The issue is not with the system but rather with public perception and the disconnect between diagnosis and everyday action.
What Must Be Done?
If we truly wish to see hypertension rates decline, we must:
Focus on Behavioural Communication: Campaigns must go beyond technical jargon. People should understand why treatment is necessary, even if they feel fine.
Dispel Myths About Medication: Public messaging must directly tackle the fear of “habit formation” or “lifelong pills” through success stories and real-life examples.
Empower Families: Involve spouses and children in counselling so that treatment adherence becomes a shared goal at home.
Strengthen Community-Level Support: Ensure patients have easy access to medicines at HWCs and that BP readings are routinely taken and recorded during every visit.
Conclusion
We are fortunate to have a working system, committed health workers, and a national program that reaches even remote regions. But medical systems alone cannot fight hypertension. The real change must come from within the mindset of our people.
It’s time we all understood: taking your blood pressure medicine is not a burden. It is an act of responsibility towards your own health, your family, and your future.
The writer is a Medical Officer at PHC Shargole, Kargil
Dr Fazal Wani
wa*******@***il.com