Guwahati, May 20: Researchers at the Regional Medical Research Centre in Dibrugarh district have found the incidence of hypertension or high blood pressure to be particularly high among tea workers in the state.

The overall prevalence of hypertension in the age group of 30 years or more among this community figured at 60.8 per cent, which is one of the highest in the country.

There are around 70 lakh tea workers in over 800 organised tea gardens across the state.

Approximately 50 per cent of them have either developed or are prone to develop the condition in future.

Although maximum cases of hypertension were found in the age group of 60 years or more in both genders, women were found to have high blood pressure in all age groups.

Research in the subject revealed that factors like increased age, not living with spouse, consumption of locally prepared alcohol or hooch, chewing of tobacco like khaini, high intake of salt in one’s daily diet and a sedentary life or a less active job compared to heavy manual labour trigger the risk of hypertension.

Intake of khaini was found to be high among women.

Consumption of hooch was found to be a major risk factor that triggered hypertension in both men and women.

Obesity-related high blood pressure was not applicable in the case of tea workers as a majority of its members are underweight, with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 20. Women were found to be more underweight than men.

“Ideally, a person should not consume more than 6gm of salt daily. The salt used in cooking our food is sufficient for the body and one need not take extra salt. Most of the tea workers consume alcohol and tobacco products in large quantities, which are high risk factors leading to hypertension. Prevention is the only option as once a person acquires the condition it cannot be reversed. Cutting down or avoiding the intake of these products will, however, prevent the condition from aggravating,” said J. Mahanta, the director of the Regional Medical Research Centre.

People living without their spouses also tend to suffer from hypertension.

For instance, if a widow has to raise her family alone in the absence of a regular livelihood it leads to high stress levels and most people of this community are very poor.

Researchers are also conducting a study to ascertain whether one’s genes have a role to play in hypertension.

“Hypertension is the result of both genetic and environmental factors. We hope the study will help us to get a better insight into the genetic predisposition that may trigger the condition. This will help us to recognise people who are genetically inclined to develop the condition and help them cut down on all risk factors to prevent the onset of hypertension,” Mahanta said.

“Both the labour and health departments organise sensitisation programmes to make the tea workers in gardens aware of the ill-effects of consuming harmful substances like tobacco. Apart from using salt in preparing their food, they also have the habit of taking salt with their regular cup of red tea, which is not good for health,” said D. Tati, the general secretary of the Asom Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS).