Latest news with #IndiaHypertensionControlInitiative
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Experts call for integration of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation into standard stroke care
New Delhi: On the occasion of National Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) Day, neurologists and rehabilitation experts in the national capital called for urgent integration of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation into India's stroke care protocols. With stroke now the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability in the country, doctors stressed that rehabilitation within the first 90 days is essential - not just for survival but for full functional recovery. "Stroke is a race against time, not just during the attack, but long after hospital discharge," said Dr Man Mohan Mehndiratta, Principal-Director and Senior Consultant, Neurology, BLK-Max Centre for Neurosciences. "While emergency response has improved through ACT FAST awareness, post-stroke recovery remains poorly structured. Without targeted rehabilitation, patients may survive but lose their independence, speech, or memory," Dr Mehndiratta said. Stroke is increasingly affecting younger people in urban centres like Delhi, fueled by rising rates of hypertension, chronic stress and sedentary lifestyles. According to the India Hypertension Control Initiative (ICMR-WHO, 2023), one in four Indian adults is hypertensive, yet only 12 per cent have it under control. Experts are now calling for broader adoption of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), a multidisciplinary medical speciality that supports recovery after stroke, spinal cord injuries and head trauma. PMR combines robotic-assisted therapy, speech and occupational therapy, cognitive retraining and psychological support, all under a structured, evidence-based roadmap led by rehabilitation physicians. "Rehabilitation is not just exercise. It's a guided, clinical process," said Dr Amit Tomar, Lead Consultant - PMR, HCAH (HealthCare atHOME) said. "The brain's plasticity is highest in the first three months post-stroke. "Every day of delay narrows the window for recovery," he said. In a recent HCAH survey, only 40 per cent of respondents could identify stroke symptoms before hospitalisation. Yet among patients who received structured inpatient rehabilitation , 92 per cent regained core functional abilities within three months. In contrast, 70 per cent of those on unstructured home care took over four months to regain basic functions like speech and mobility. "These numbers reinforce the importance of timely, specialist-led rehab," said Dr Gaurav Thukral, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, HCAH. As stroke cases rise, experts called on national and state health authorities to take bold action to embed PMR into every stroke treatment protocol, expand insurance coverage for inpatient rehab, train more PMR specialists and rehab teams and establish dedicated neuro-rehabilitation centres in both public and private healthcare systems. "Survival should not be the end goal. Recovery with dignity must become the new standard," said Dr Mehndiratta. PTI
News18
19-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Dealing With Hypertension? Always Inform Insurers Before Buying Health Cover
Last Updated: If buyers conceal their hypertension, insurers may reject claims due to nondisclosure and even cancel the policy, citing withheld information. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a critical health condition that occurs when blood vessels experience excessive pressure. If left unmanaged, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney and eye disorders, cognitive decline, and even heart attacks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the India Hypertension Control Initiative, hypertension is responsible for over 7.5 million deaths annually. In India, nearly 25% of adults are affected by the condition, a number that continues to rise. As the prevalence of hypertension grows, health insurance providers have become more stringent in verifying medical disclosures at the time of policy issuance. Failure to disclose a pre-existing condition like hypertension can result in claim rejections or even policy cancellations, making it vital for policyholders to be transparent about their health history. If a policyholder files a claim and it is later discovered that they failed to disclose their hypertension, the insurer can reject the claim on the grounds of non-disclosure of a pre-existing condition. This holds true even if the claim pertains to a medical issue unrelated to the undisclosed hypertension. In some cases, insurers may also cancel the policy altogether, citing the initial breach of disclosure. Additionally, individuals undergoing regular treatment for hypertension who fail to declare it at the time of purchase may not be eligible for coverage under pre-existing disease clauses. This omission can leave them unprotected and financially vulnerable during medical emergencies. Failing to disclose a hypertension diagnosis when purchasing health insurance can lead to serious consequences, but all may not be lost. There are still corrective steps you can take to rectify the situation and safeguard your coverage. 2. Disclose at Renewal: If the free-look period has passed, policyholders can still disclose their hypertension at the time of policy renewal. However, this disclosure is subject to the insurer's discretion. They may choose to continue coverage, charge a higher premium, exclude coverage for hypertension-related conditions, or even cancel the policy. 3. Opt for a New Policy or Switch Providers: Another option is to purchase a new health insurance policy from a different provider or switch to a new plan with your current insurer. In this case, it is important to honestly declare all pre-existing medical conditions, including hypertension, to ensure appropriate coverage under pre-existing disease health insurance terms. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN News18. Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates—only on News18. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 19, 2025, 11:45 IST
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Do not apply for health cover without revealing existing hypertension
You may succeed in buying the policy but your claim could get rejected later if any complications arise Premium Sanjay Kumar Singh Karthik Jerome New Delhi Listen to This Article May 17 will be celebrated as World Hypertension Day. According to the World Health Organisation and the India Hypertension Control Initiative, around 25 per cent of Indian adults suffer from hypertension. This condition can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney and eye disorders, and cognitive decline. 'Hypertension can be the root cause of many diseases regarded as chronic or critical,' says Ashish Yadav, head (products and business operations), ManipalCigna Health Insurance. Getting a cover becomes a challenge Buying health insurance can be challenging for individuals with hypertension. 'Such applicants have to undergo extensive medical testing, which can be
