Many people have the impression that high blood pressure or hypertension is a disease of urban centres. However, a recent study by Aga Khan University (AKU) revealed that the risk of hypertension is also high in the rural areas of Sindh. "Hypertension has reached epidemic levels in Pakistan and other South Asian countries," said Dr Imtiaz Jehan, Associate Professor at AKU and principal investigator of the study in Pakistan. She stressed the need to adopt strategies to prevent new cases of hypertension and improve the existing hypertension management care.