World Hypertension Day: Doctors warn of ‘silent killer’ as high blood pressure rises among young Indians

Hypertension, often called the “silent killer”, is emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing public health challenges, with doctors warning that rising stress, obesity, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles are pushing high blood pressure cases increasingly into younger age groups.

On World Hypertension Day, medical experts said delayed diagnosis and poor awareness continue to fuel the crisis, even as uncontrolled blood pressure significantly raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and other life-threatening complications.

Dr. (Major) Abhinav Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiologist at Regency Hospital (Gorakhpur) said awareness remains the most important first step in controlling hypertension.

“People should know their blood pressure numbers just like they know their mobile number,” he said, cautioning that readings regularly around 140/90 mmHg or above should not remain untreated. Even borderline high blood pressure, he added, requires immediate lifestyle attention.

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Dr. Shrivastava said reducing salt intake, walking regularly, maintaining healthy body weight, sleeping adequately and avoiding tobacco could significantly lower hypertension risk. He also warned against self-medication without medical consultation.

He further highlighted the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement, noting that posture, cuff size, stress, caffeine intake, exercise and even talking during the test can affect readings and influence diagnosis.

Dr. (Prof.) Purshotam Lal, Director - Interventional Cardiology and Chairman, Metro Group of Hospitals said hypertension was no longer confined to elderly patients.

“We are increasingly observing younger adults with increased blood pressure due to stress, poor quality of sleep, sedentary routines, obesity, smoking, and irregular check-ups,” he said.

Dr. Lal said the biggest concern was that hypertension often progresses silently without symptoms, causing people to skip regular health checks.

“This World Hypertension Day, the message should reach each and every household – do not wait for symptoms, check your BP on regular basis and seek medical guidance on early basis,” he added.

Doctors also recommended periodic blood pressure screening for all adults, especially those above 30 years of age and individuals with diabetes, obesity or high-stress lifestyles.

Salt, obesity and unhealthy lifestyles worsening the crisis

Experts said changing food habits, rising obesity and lack of physical activity are major contributors to the growing hypertension burden in India.

Dr. Uday Nagesh Shivaji, Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Narayana Health City, (Bengaluru) noted that hypertension affects nearly 1.28 billion adults globally, with almost half unaware of their condition.

Explaining the impact of salt on the body, he said excess sodium increases blood volume by drawing more water into the bloodstream, forcing the heart to work harder and increasing pressure on arteries.

“Over time, this sustained pressure damages vessel walls, accelerates arterial hardening, and significantly raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease,” he said.

Dr. Shivaji added that reducing daily salt intake by about two grams — roughly one-third of a teaspoon — can lower systolic blood pressure by up to 5 mmHg in people with hypertension.

Dr. Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant in Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital (Delhi) said obesity directly increases pressure on the arteries because the heart must pump harder to circulate blood through excess body fat.

He said obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance, inflammation, poor sleep, hormonal imbalances and sedentary lifestyles, all of which increase hypertension risk.

“Losing some weight through exercise and changing to healthier food choices can significantly improve control of blood pressure,” he said.

Dr. Pawan Kumar, General Pediatrician at Rainbow Hospital (Delhi) said abdominal obesity particularly increases hypertension risk because fat tissue releases hormones and chemicals that affect blood vessel function and blood pressure regulation.

He added that obesity can also lead to narrowing of blood vessels, sodium retention and greater cardiovascular stress, while increasing the likelihood of conditions such as sleep apnea, diabetes and high cholesterol.

According to doctors, healthier diets, regular physical activity and weight management remain essential in reducing long-term cardiovascular complications.

Hypertension’s impact on heart and kidney health

Doctors warned that uncontrolled hypertension can silently damage vital organs including the heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels over time.

Dr. R S Venkatesulu, Lead Consultant in Cardiology at SPARSH Hospital (Bengaluru) said controlling hypertension requires collective support from families, workplaces and healthcare systems.

“Families should encourage regular monitoring, healthier meals, physical exercises and timely intake of medicines,” he said, adding that workplaces should promote preventive health check-ups as stress and prolonged sitting hours increasingly contribute to hypertension.

“The main goal is not just to lower numbers on a BP machine, but to safeguard heart, brain, kidney and blood vessels,” Dr. Venkatesulu added.

He also stressed that lifestyle correction combined with medical treatment can significantly reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.

Nishchay B, Senior Consultant Nephrologist at NephroPlus, described hypertension as a “silent killer” that can severely affect kidney health if left uncontrolled.

He explained that persistently high blood pressure damages the tiny blood vessels, or nephrons, inside the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste and regulate fluid balance.

“This damage can eventually lead to chronic kidney disease, and in severe situations, kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant,” he said.

Dr Nishchay B noted that both hypertension and early-stage kidney disease often show no warning signs until substantial damage has occurred. Symptoms such as swelling in the feet, fatigue, concentration problems and changes in urination usually emerge in advanced stages.

He said individuals with diabetes, obesity, smoking habits, unhealthy lifestyles or a family history of kidney disease face greater risk.

Experts stressed that hypertension management is a long-term process requiring regular monitoring, lifestyle modifications and adherence to prescribed medicines. Doctors warned that many patients wrongly discontinue medicines once blood pressure levels become normal, increasing future complications.

They said timely intervention, reduced salt intake, exercise, stress management, avoiding tobacco and regular medical follow-up can significantly reduce silent organ damage and improve long-term health outcomes.