Govt urged to boost heart health awareness campaign

On World Hypertension Day, health experts and policymakers in Dhaka renewed calls for stronger preventive healthcare measures as concerns grow over rising non-communicable diseases linked to lifestyle and food safety.

Speaking at a seminar organised to mark the day, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam Moni highlighted the urgent need to expand awareness campaigns on heart disease and hypertension across the country.

He said the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh has made a significant contribution in bringing heart health awareness to the grassroots level.

“Few organisations have been able to reach the masses on heart disease awareness in the way the Heart Foundation has done,” he said.

The event, held under the theme “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”, focused on preventing and managing high blood pressure, widely recognised as a silent but deadly condition.

Rather than only focusing on treatment, speakers at the seminar emphasised shifting national attention towards prevention through lifestyle changes, safe food practices and early screening.

The Chief Whip warned that cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death globally, noting that even seemingly healthy individuals can suffer sudden heart attacks.

He stressed that maintaining heart health requires continuous awareness, as the human heart functions without rest from birth until death.

Moni also recalled the early struggles of the Heart Foundation, saying its first services began in very modest conditions, before modern facilities were developed.

A key focus of his speech was lifestyle discipline. He urged people to reduce excessive oil and salt intake, maintain balanced diets and engage in regular physical activity.

He further raised concern over the growing public health risks linked to chemical fertilisers, pesticides and adulterated food products.

According to him, unsafe food practices and the widespread use of harmful chemicals in fish, poultry and vegetables are increasingly affecting public health, with reports of serious illnesses even among children.

The seminar also highlighted hypertension as a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney complications, particularly among younger populations.

Held annually on 17 May, World Hypertension Day is observed globally to promote awareness, prevention and control of high blood pressure.