World Hypertension Day 2024: Understanding, Detecting, and Managing Hypertension - Dr Vinus Taneja

Hypertension contributes to many health issues like stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, eye vision changes, peripheral artery disease and can also contribute to dementia. It affects people of all age groups & backgrounds. Hypertension is also known as “silent killer”. Mostly people are unaware that they are suffering from Hypertension (as mostly it is asymptomatic), until they suffer from any of these illnesses like stroke or heart attack.

As per WHO: Only about 12% of Indians with Hypertension have their BP under control.

According to WHO: Hypertension contributes to 9.4 million deaths annually worldwide. As the BP increases, so do the cardiovascular risks. Hypertension is a major risk factor for CV diseases, including stroke and heart diseases, which are leading causes of mortality. Risk factors include - unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, strokes, family history.

Hence, regular BP monitoring/ screening is very important, for early detection & management. Always seek advice from your doctor if your BP is high (140/90 mm Hg as above).

So the target should be to control BP: (less than 140/90 mm Hg)

Management of Hypertension majorly involves lifestyle modification, regular exercise, healthy diet, weight management, and stress management, reduction of alcohol & tobacco consumption. In addition to this, visit your doctor regularly, monitor your BP regularly & start medication as advised by your doctor regularly.