High blood pressure is often called the silent killer, and with good reason. Most people feel perfectly fine while it quietly damages the body. In India, this is one of the commonest health problems.
How common is it?
The ICMR-INDIAB study found that about 35.5 percent of Indian adults had hypertension in 2021, with higher rates in urban areas (about 40.7 percent). A WHO report also found that only a minority of people with high BP were aware of their condition.
What do the numbers mean?
BP is written as two numbers, such as 120/80. Readings repeatedly at or above 130/80 are considered high for many adults in newer guidelines, and 140/90 or above is the usual cut-off in many Indian practices for diagnosis. Your doctor will confirm with repeated readings, and often with home monitoring.
Why it matters
Untreated high BP raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and eye damage. The higher the pressure and the longer it stays high, the greater the harm.
Symptoms
Usually none. Some people have headache, dizziness or nosebleeds, but these are not reliable. A very high BP with chest pain, breathlessness, confusion, weakness or severe headache needs urgent care.
What raises BP
- Too much salt.
- Extra weight, especially belly fat.
- Inactivity.
- Alcohol and tobacco.
- Stress and poor sleep.
- Family history, ageing, kidney or hormone problems, some medicines.
What helps
- Salt below 5 grams a day.
- Eat more vegetables, fruits, dal, and low-fat dairy (the DASH pattern).
- Walk 30 minutes most days.
- Lose weight if overweight.
- Avoid tobacco; limit alcohol.
- Take medicines regularly, even if you feel fine. Do not stop without advice.
Check at least yearly
Everyone above 30 should check BP once a year. If you have diabetes, kidney disease or high readings, check more often.
If you live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, or work in the Financial District or Nanakramguda, you can get your blood pressure and heart risk checked at our clinic in Gachibowli, open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM. Contact us to book.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- Anjana RM et al. ICMR-INDIAB study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2023;11(7):474-489. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00119-5
- World Health Organization. Hypertension fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
- Whelton PK et al. 2017 ACC/AHA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults. Hypertension 2018;71:e13-e115.