MUMBAI, November 21: More than 25 percent of employees of the Mumbai University suffer from various forms of hypertension. This was disclosed by vice-chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh while inaugurating the Sixth National Conference of Hypertension today at the Taj Hotel.

Dr Deshmukh prescribed a change in the lifestyle of patients as the best remedy to the condition. She also advocated the use of alternative forms of treatment like yoga for hypertension. The conference, which is being attended by over 300 doctors from all over India and two NRI doctors as well, will focus on various methods of treatment for the condition. Dr Siddharth Shah, president of the Hypertension Society of India (HSI), which has organised the conference, bemoaned the lack of data on the epidemology of hypertension and asked the Mumbai university to help in data collection through the city medical colleges.

Founder member of HSI and cardiologist Dr Natoobhai Shah said hypertension is a hard hitting disease which occurs in around 15 to 20 per cent of the urban population. ``It can remain latent or without any symptoms for a number of years, and if not treated properly can strike other organs such as heart, kidneys, arteries of the brain or eyes,'' he added.

The chairperson of the scientific committee, Dr A R Billimoria, said great strides have been made in the treatment of hypertension in the recent past, and a plethora of antihypertension medicines are available now.

Former president of HSI Dr Paul Anand said this conference, like the previous five conferences held by the society, is a golden opportunity for national and international leaders in the field to discuss the intricacies, problem areas and advances related to hypertension.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.