Nagpur: Rising urban stress, sedentary lifestyles, and poor dietary habits are leading to a concerning spike in high blood pressure diagnoses among younger patients in the region. On the eve of World Hypertension Day, cardiologists from Nagpur highlighted the dangers of this “silent killer,” which continues to claim lives due to lack of awareness, delayed diagnoses, and widespread myths. Dr. Amey Beedkar, a prominent cardiologist, pointed out that hypertension accounts for 13.1% of all global deaths and is a significant contributor to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Alarmingly, 63% of Indians remain unaware of their hypertensive status, a situation he termed “deadly.”
Medical professionals are urging individuals to monitor their blood pressure regularly, as hypertension often goes unnoticed until it leads to irreversible harm. Untreated, it can result in severe health issues, including strokes, brain hemorrhages, vision loss, kidney failure, and heart failure. Dr. Amar Amale, a senior cardiologist and president of the Cardiology Society of Vidarbha Chapter, stressed the need to destigmatize hypertension, emphasizing that it is not a taboo or a source of shame. He noted that hypertension is a chronic condition affected by age, lifestyle, and family history, and mentioned the unnecessary suffering experienced by patients and their families due to delayed treatment and misconceptions.
Data reveals a strong correlation between hypertension and other metabolic disorders. In India, about 30% of hypertensive patients also have elevated LDL cholesterol levels, 25% show increased uric acid levels, and approximately 35–40% are classified as obese. Effective blood pressure management can help prevent these additional health issues.
On World Hypertension Day, various hospitals and health organizations in Nagpur will host free blood pressure check-up camps and awareness sessions to educate the public. Experts are advocating for lifestyle changes such as reduced salt intake, regular physical activity, stress management, and adherence to prescribed medications as crucial aspects of effectively managing hypertension. Dr. Amale underscored that prevention and early detection are the best strategies, urging individuals not to wait for serious health events like heart attacks or strokes before taking hypertension seriously.
Individuals should urgently check their blood pressure if they experience dizziness while walking, breathlessness during routine activities, have a family history of high blood pressure, live a high-stress lifestyle, or are obese or diabetic.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/cardiologists-raise-alarm-on-silent-killer-hypertension/articleshow/121219897.cms
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-05-17 00:48:00
