4 out of 10 people suffering from high blood pressure failed to monitor their blood pressure levels

Unchecked high blood pressure is known to cause heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and eye problems. Over 40% of people aged 18-55 aren’t aware of their numbers. High blood pressure cases are rapidly surging among Indians. Shockingly, 4 Out Of 10 people with high blood pressure or hypertension don’t check their blood pressure levels and are at a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes. Approximately, 40% of people in the age group 18-55 aren’t aware of their blood pressure readings and suffer in silence. Experts advise monitoring blood pressure regularly, eating a diet low in sodium, exercising, staying stress-free, and maintaining an optimum weight to tackle hypertension.

According to the ICMR- National Centre Of Disease Informatics And Research (ICMR-NCDIR), study published in the International Journal Of Public Health (IJPH), nearly 3 out of 10 people in India aged 18-54 haven’t monitored their blood pressure levels. so, 30 % of people belonging to the age group -18-54 haven’t monitored their blood pressure even once.

“High blood pressure or hypertension is blood pressure that is higher than normal and is a silent killer. It is a dangerous condition as one’s BP is constantly above 180/120 mmHg or higher causing symptoms like headaches, heart palpitations, or nosebleeds. “The causes of high blood pressure are eating foods high in sodium, stress, lack of physical activity, age, alcohol certain medications and health conditions like sleep apnea, obesity, and smoking, recreational drug use. 4 Out Of 10 people known to have high blood pressure or hypertension avoid checking their blood pressure levels and can experience heart attacks and strokes. Approximately, 40% of people in the age group 18-55 aren’t aware of their higher numbers and suffer in silence. Hypertension is often linked to coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage, peripheral artery disease, and vision problems. Timely management of hypertension is key in saving and improving the quality of life of people,” said Dr C C Nair, Lilavati Hospital.


“Hypertension is commonly seen in a large number of people. A blood pressure reading allows one to measure the pressure in the arteries when one’s heart beats. So, the top number is called systolic pressure) and the bottom number is called diastolic pressure. A blood pressure monitoring machine will help one understand his/her numbers and then seek timely intervention. Normal blood pressure is a systolic BP of less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic BP of less than 80 mmHg. High blood pressure is a systolic BP of 120 to 129 mmHg and diastolic BP of less than 80 mmHg. Stage 1 hypertension is systolic BP130 to 139 mmHg and diastolic BP 80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 2 hypertension is a systolic BP of 140 mmHg or higher and 90 mmHg or higher. Blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), and Echocardiogram will also help to understand your numbers,” said Dr Rajesh Bendre, National Technical Head & Chief Pathologist Apollo Diagnostics Mumbai.

“To deal with hypertension, eat a diet low in sodium, exercise five times a day for at least 45 minutes, do strength training, walking, cycling, swimming, Pilates, or running but avoid over-exercising. Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation to calm down. Try to maintain an optimum weight, avoid smoking, alcohol, and illicit drug use, and sleep well. Take the medication prescribed by the doctor and measure your blood pressure from time to time,” concluded Dr C C Nair, Lilavati Hospital.