World Hypertension Day 2025: Measure It Right, Live a Longer Life

Have you ever been told that your blood pressure is a little high, but you weren’t quite sure what that meant? You’re not alone. Many people face the same confusion, which often leads to misunderstandings. In the age of social media, posts can easily spread misinformation about hypertension. Before you know it, you're left wondering — should you believe your doctor or that viral post?

This is where this article comes to the rescue. Today, you’ll learn everything you need to know about hypertension in a straightforward, easy-to-follow way. The goal is to help you understand what you or your loved ones may be going through and to educate you on how to guide them through this chronic yet manageable condition by knowing what to do and when to act. So, the first step is understanding what hypertension actually is.

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure as it’s commonly known, is a medical condition where the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. [1]

But how high is considered "too high"?

If your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmHg in a clinical setting, or your average Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM) readings are above 135/85 mmHg, you are considered hypertensive and may require antihypertensive therapy.

Arteries are like pipelines that carry blood from the heart to various parts of the body. The pressure in these arteries is essential to ensure that blood reaches vital organs like the brain, especially against gravity. However, when this pressure remains elevated for too long, it begins to damage the arterial walls.

Arteries are naturally elastic and muscular, allowing them to stretch in response to changes in blood flow. But when the pressure stays high consistently, they gradually become stiff and narrow as a protective mechanism. This leads to reduced blood flow and increases the risk of serious health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, heart failure, stroke, vascular dementia, and kidney damage.

In its early stages, hypertension rarely causes noticeable symptoms. Some individuals may experience occasional headaches, irritability, dizziness, or blurred vision, but most remain completely asymptomatic — often until their blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels. Therefore, it is popularly known as a “Silent Killer”.

That’s why regular blood pressure monitoring is the only reliable way to detect hypertension early.

How Common is Hypertension?

According to WHO reports, one in four adults in India has hypertension, but only about 19% of them have their condition under control. A recent study found that 22.6% of Indians aged 15 and above are affected. Among them, 24% of men and 21% of women live with hypertension. Alarmingly, this number increases with age — nearly 48% of individuals aged 60 and above are hypertensive. ^[2,3]

So, it’s safe to say that every second person over the age of 60 in India suffers from high blood pressure.

In most cases, the exact cause of hypertension is not known — this is called Primary (or Essential) Hypertension. A smaller fraction of individuals have an identifiable cause, such as kidney disease or endocrinal disorders; this is known as Secondary Hypertension.

Even though the exact cause is often unknown, we do know the risk factors that contribute to developing hypertension. These are broadly categorized into:

• Modifiable risk factors – related to lifestyle and habits, such as a sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, smoking, high salt intake, and diets high in calories and processed foods.

• Non-modifiable risk factors – aspects we cannot change, like increasing age, male gender, and a family history of hypertension.

Given these risks, screening and early detection are crucial. Identifying high blood pressure in its early stages allows for timely intervention, helping to prevent serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure.

Diagnosed with Hypertension? What to Do Now?

Early detection is key. If hypertension is identified in its early stages, controlling it becomes much easier and more effective, since changes in the blood vessels are still reversible at that point.

Once diagnosed, the most important aspect of treatment is the use of antihypertensive medications. These medications are crucial for managing blood pressure and are tailored individually to each patient based on their condition, risk factors, and overall health profile.

While lifestyle changes (non-medical treatment) are equally important, they are not a substitute for medication. Therefore, for anyone diagnosed with hypertension, the first line of therapy is medication, supported by lifestyle modifications.

High blood pressure is often associated with other conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, kidney disorders, and certain endocrine disorders. These should be screened for and managed appropriately alongside hypertension.

The best blood pressure control is achieved through:

• Strict adherence to prescribed medication

• Regular follow-ups with a physician

• Regular home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM)

These practices have been shown to significantly reduce long-term complications such as heart attacks and strokes in patients with well-controlled blood pressure.

Can Hypertension Be Prevented?

Yes, in many cases it can be. But more importantly, hypertension can be effectively managed, especially when risk factors are identified early. Prevention primarily revolves around healthy lifestyle choices and regular screening.

Here are some simple yet powerful ways to prevent or manage high blood pressure:

1. Adopt a heart-healthy diet (DASH diet – Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)

   Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
   Reduce salt (sodium) intake — aim for less than 5 grams per day.
   Cut back on processed, packaged, and fried foods.

2. Stay physically active
   Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (like brisk walking) at least 5 days a week.

3. Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
   Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption significantly increase the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

4. Maintain a healthy weight
   Even a small amount of weight loss can help lower blood pressure in individuals who are overweight or obese.

5. Manage stress
   Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Practice mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques regularly.

6. Monitor your blood pressure
   Regular BP checks — either at home or in a clinical setting — can help detect changes early and prevent complications.

Final Takeaway

Hypertension is common, but it’s neither inevitable nor untreatable. With the right combination of medical treatment, lifestyle modifications, and regular monitoring, blood pressure can be brought under control and kept in check.

Early diagnosis and consistent follow-up not only save lives but also significantly improve quality of life.

Let’s take World Hypertension Day as a call to action — to check our blood pressure, raise awareness, and support our loved ones in leading a heart-healthy life.

References:

1. British Heart Foundation. "High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)." Last updated March 1, 2023. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure.

2. World Health Organization. "Hypertension India 2023 Country Profile." September 19, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/hypertension-ind-2023-country-profile.

3. Mohammad, Raza, and Dhananjay W. Bansod. "Hypertension in India: A Gender-Based Study of Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors." BMC Public Health 24, no. 2681 (2024). https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-20097-5.

By Dr. Shubham Halingali, MBBS

_MSM