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The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Hypertension Myths and Facts: What You Need to Know
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of India's fastest-growing health concerns. According to Apollo's Health of the Nation 2025 report, 1 in 3 working-age Indian men (31%) and 1 in 4 women (24%) between 40–55 years have high blood pressure. That's because hypertension typically shows no symptoms while silently damaging your heart, kidneys, brain and blood vessels. Tackling it starts with awareness. Here are the most common myths and the facts you need to know to protect your health. Myth 1: 'I feel fine, so my blood pressure must be normal.' Fact: You can be perfectly healthy on the outside and still have high blood pressure. Many Indians with normal weight and active lifestyles still have hypertension due to stress, genetics or other underlying factors. As there are usually no symptoms, the only way to detect it early is through regular blood pressure checks. Ignoring it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and even vision loss. Myth 2: 'Only older people get high blood pressure.' Fact: While age increases the risk, Apollo's data shows that 1 in 3 people with high BP are under 40. Stressful jobs, poor sleep, ultraprocessed food, inactivity and high salt intake are fuelling early onset hypertension, especially in urban areas. The earlier it begins, the more damage to your body — raising the risk of complications in your 40s and 50s. Uncontrolled hypertension can damage more than just your heart. It damages the kidneys, eyes, brain, and blood vessels. Myth 3: 'Cutting salt is enough to control blood pressure.' Fact: Lowering salt intake is crucial, but BP control requires a multi-pronged approach. A healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, stress reduction and avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol are all key. If prescribed, medications must also be taken consistently. Relying on salt reduction alone can give a false sense of security. Myth 4: 'I can stop my medication once my BP is normal.' Fact: Blood pressure medicines control the condition — they don't cure it. Stopping them suddenly can cause dangerous spikes and increase the risk of stroke or heart failure. If you want to reduce dependence on medication, it must be done gradually and with your doctor's advice, along with sustained lifestyle changes. Myth 5: 'Herbal remedies can replace my medicine.' Fact: Some traditional remedies may help improve overall well-being, but they should never replace scientifically proven medication. Some herbs can even interfere with your BP medicines. Always speak to your doctor before combining treatments. Myth 6: 'It doesn't run in my family, so I'm safe.' Fact: Family history is just one factor. Many Indians develop hypertension without it, due to modern lifestyle risks. Everyone, regardless of family history, should monitor their BP regularly as part of their annual health checks. Final Thoughts Hypertension may be silent, but the damage it causes is serious and lifelong. The good news? It's preventable and manageable. Prioritise your health: check your BP regularly, commit to healthy habits, and stay on top of treatment. Check it. Track it. Control it. Because your health is your best investment. Have questions for our doctors? WhatsApp us at 89392 83283 or email us at sincerelyyourdoctor@ with your name, city and query. 'A Preventive Healthcare Initiative by Apollo ProHealth and The Hindu'
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Is Hypertension Affecting Younger People More Than Before?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is no longer just a concern for the older population. Increasingly, younger Indians — even teenagers — are developing it. Hypertension occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. This happens when the heart pumps blood with more force than normal (due to stress, physical exertion, or hormonal changes) or when arteries narrow or stiffen (due to plaque build-up, ageing, or unhealthy lifestyle). Over time, this pressure can damage blood vessels and organs like the heart, kidneys and brain, leading to severe conditions like heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke, if left untreated. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If it rises to 140/90 mmHg or more, based on an average of two or more readings taken on separate occasions, a diagnosis of hypertension is made. There is also a warning zone called prehypertension, which is an early indicator that lifestyle changes, such as dietary adjustments, regular exercise, and stress management, are crucial to prevent escalation to hypertension. Rising Risk Across the Board Traditionally, hypertension was seen mostly after the age of 40. But today, even students and young professionals are at risk. Recent data from Apollo Hospitals' Health of the Nation 2025 report (based on preventive health check data of 2.5 lakh individuals) shows that 9% of high school students and 19% of college students in India are already prehypertensive. Among adults, 21% of men and 8% of women below 40 years are hypertensive. Apollo's health check data (since 2019) shows 25% of people are hypertensive and 50% are prehypertensive, making annual health checks crucial for proactive action. Post-menopause, women experience a sharper rise in BP due to hormonal changes, particularly the decline in oestrogen levels. Oestrogen helps keep the arteries flexible and promotes better blood flow. While 15% had hypertension before menopause, 40% had it after menopause. Regular BP checks are therefore crucial for women at all stages of life. Among men, 31% in the 40-55 age group and 39% in those over 55 are hypertensive. What's Causing the Shift? Unhealthy Lifestyles: Lack of exercise, eating fast food high in salt and fat, smoking, and drinking alcohol are major contributors. Lack of exercise, eating fast food high in salt and fat, smoking, and drinking alcohol are major contributors. Stress: Academic pressure, job stress, and financial worries are pushing BP up in the young. Academic pressure, job stress, and financial worries are pushing BP up in the young. Obesity: Rising rates of overweight and obesity, even among children, increase the risk of hypertension. Rising rates of overweight and obesity, even among children, increase the risk of hypertension. Poor Sleep: Irregular sleep patterns and screen time overload disturb the body's natural rhythm and raise BP. Irregular sleep patterns and screen time overload disturb the body's natural rhythm and raise BP. Family History: Genetics plays a strong role — if hypertension runs in the family, young people are more likely to develop it. The Way Forward The good news is that hypertension can be caught early and managed well. Regular health checks help detect rising BP before it causes silent damage. Doctors may suggest lifestyle improvements — such as cutting down on salt, staying active, reducing stress, reducing alcohol intake and sleeping better — and in some cases, medication. With early action and awareness, it is possible to prevent the serious complications of hypertension and live a healthier, longer life. Have questions for our doctors? WhatsApp us at 89392 83283 or email us at sincerelyyourdoctor@ with your name, city and query. 'A Preventive Healthcare Initiative by Apollo ProHealth and The Hindu'
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Address the rising burden of NCDs in India
In all regions of the world, the number of deaths from infectious diseases, maternal mortality and under-5 childhood mortality is going down, and now more people are dying from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In India, infectious diseases such as flu, malaria, and tuberculosis once dominated public health concerns, and now the spotlight has shifted to hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, kidney disease and other NCDs. These lifestyle-related illnesses lead to more deaths than all the other causes combined, and are driven by urbanisation, sedentary routines, convenience lifestyles, and stress levels. This silent epidemic impacts not only individuals and their health and futures but also places an enormous strain upon healthcare systems and on national economies. NCDs are responsible for two out of every three deaths throughout the globe, including in India, with reports indicating that someone dies from an NCD every two seconds. India is the diabetes capital of the world with some 215 million people who live with the condition, and 136 million who are pre-diabetic. In metros, up to 3 out of 4 adults are diabetic or pre-diabetic. The recent Apollo Hospitals' 'Health of the Nation 2025' report, based on health screenings from over 2.5 million individuals, revealed some alarming trends: 61% are obese in India with another 18% being overweight, 65% have fatty liver and 46% i.e. 1 in 2 have silent heart issues. Non-communicable diseases are often associated with the older generation. But Indians get diabetes some 10 to 20 years earlier than people in the West – at age 30, at the peak of their productive years. India's very future as an economic powerhouse on the world stage is in jeopardy unless we address NCDs. What must be appreciated is that the development of NCDs begins early in life, during adolescence, when lifestyle habits are usually acquired, and these lifestyle habits have long-lasting impact on long-term health. For instance, in India, according to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-2019) 8.5% of students aged 13-15 years use tobacco in one form or another. And this habit leads to heart disease, cancer and so many other serious diseases later in life. India's growing obesity problem especially among children was highlighted in the Economic Survey Report 2023-24. According to the report, while the adult obesity rate in India has more than tripled; the annual rise in children's obesity is the steepest in the world for India, according to the World Obesity Federation. The recent Apollo report also showed that obesity among students is rising rapidly – that 8% of primary school students were already overweight or obese, and that increases significantly to reach 28% among college students. According to the WHO / Lancet 2019--3 out of 4 teens in India get 'insufficient physical activity' and the CNNS National Nutrition Survey -2016-2018 showed that >10% of school-going children (5-9 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) were estimated to be pre-diabetic in India. Another study showed that 35% of India's 10-year-olds have high blood pressure. These alarming findings have informed India's ambitious child nutrition programmes and policy recommendations that address the triple burden of malnutrition and start programmes in the early years to instill healthy lifelong eating habits. There are 280 million adolescents in India and preserving their health and setting them up for a lifetime of health is critical to India's future. School-based public health interventions that use compelling, age-appropriate games and activities, and teach 11- and 12-year-olds how to choose healthy foods, avoid fried food and junk food, and simply go out to play during Games period instead of sitting and talking to friends, are an important strategy to combat diabetes and related NCDs. This strategy is in fact a key pillar of India's national Ayushman Bharat school health curriculum. India cannot treat its way out of the NCD crisis – the problem is simply too big. But we know from WHO and compelling clinical studies that 80% of type 2 diabetes, and 80% of heart disease can be prevented with 3 lifestyle changes – one must eat right, increase physical activity and avoid tobacco. Prevention through lifestyle change is smart. The key to control NCDs is early detection and prevention. India has a huge focus on screening for diabetes and hypertension. But a multi-faceted and integrated approach where prevention and behaviour change efforts are also part of the government health systems, is key. Furthermore, these public health interventions must be delivered outside the doctor's office because overworked healthcare providers simply do not have time to give any lifestyle change advice to their patients. Schools and workplaces, the kitchen table, social media channels, chefs, street food vendors, influencers, all become crucibles for change. Adopting models that help take prevention to the doorsteps of people's homes, is important. Today mobile phones have made it easier to reach people in remote areas as well. Something as simple as a text message can empower people to get off the couch and move. Addressing NCDs requires collective action—no single sector can tackle the challenge alone. Meaningful collaboration among governments, private enterprises, civil society, academia, is essential to drive lasting impact. Leadership from the government is key but NGOs must be included as important stakeholders as they make terrific implementers including at the last mile. Community engagement is vital for cultural relevance and for effectiveness, in the designing, implementing, and evaluation of programs. It is also important that NGOs collaborate among themselves – that education NGOs partner with health NGOs to improve reading and literacy and health all at the same time. We applaud the government of India for being the first country to step up and have an action plan for NCDs, for its emphasis on health and wellness centers, and screening for hypertension and diabetes, for covering the costs of hospitalizations for the very poor etc. All these are efforts to strengthen India's healthcare system and much needed. But more emphasis on preventative measures is also needed, including on workplace health, and leveraging AI for improving the effective use of mobile technology. If India doesn't tackle diabetes and NCDs, it will have a weaker workforce as millions more get diabetes. And our country will lose its potential to be a global economic powerhouse. If India doesn't tackle diabetes and NCDs head on, right now, the world won't meet SDG#3. The stakes are that high. Inaction is not an option. This article is authored by Dr Nalini Saligram, founder & CEO, Arogya World.
India Today
28-04-2025
- Health
- India Today
India still waits for its symptoms: How a mindset shift can save millions
In India, a large number of diseases are preventable, yet many people still seek medical care only after symptoms are warning that this reactive approach is putting millions at risk, especially because many serious conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, and fatty liver disease, often have no visible symptoms in their early stages."The primary barrier is an ingrained mindset that prioritises treatment over prevention. Despite increasing awareness, many still wait for symptoms before seeking care. Changing this cultural habit remains a challenge," said Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, highlighting a deep-rooted mindset as one of the biggest barriers to preventive healthcare in Apollo's recent Health of the Nation 2025 report shows a 150% increase in preventive health screenings over the last five years. However, the majority of people still delay check-ups until they feel unwell, missing the opportunity to catch health issues early. A majority of people still delay check-ups until they feel unwell, missing the opportunity to catch health issues early. () "Don't wait for symptoms, make preventive health your priority," the report highlighted, pointing out that 26% of those screened had hypertension and 23% diabetic despite showing no major reason for this delay, Dr. Reddy explained, is the lack of effective communication linking preventive care to long-term health benefits. Many individuals are unaware that conditions like high blood pressure or fatty liver disease can be managed early if detected through simple preventive care is not seen as part of a regular routine, like regular SIPs in mutual funds which are today widely accepted due to a sustained communication program, it's easy to overlook its importance," added Dr. and affordability have also been it comes to accessibility, we have taken deliberate steps to ensure that our advanced diagnostic tools are available not only in major cities but also in smaller towns. Speaking about Apollo's integrative care, by adding advanced diagnostic tools in urban and rural areas, Dr. Reddy said, "Over the years, technological advancements have enabled us to streamline these services from our flagship hospitals to community clinics to progressively bridging the gap in geographic disparities."Affordability is another key focus area. Strategic partnerships and health insurance collaborations aimed at boosting preventive healthcare can make services financially viable for a broader segment of the population."Our use of AI-driven risk stratification and data-led insights ensures that every individual receives personalised, timely advice. This reduces the need for repeat scans and unnecessary tests," the expert critical area that needs urgent attention is women's health, particularly after menopause (the period that marks the end of one's menstruation cycle).advertisement"Post-menopausal women face a surge in health risks like diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease. For this, age-appropriate, gender-sensitive screening programs, regular bone density scans, blood sugar tests, and liver function assessments are necessary, said Dr. Reddy. Another critical area that needs urgent attention is women's health, particularly after menopause. () "Empowering women through education and ensuring affordable care models are key to addressing these issues," she health and sleep disorders, often overlooked, are emerging as major contributors to poor health. Dr. Reddy suggested simple solutions that can be embedded into the current healthcare system without overburdening it. "Brief questionnaires during preventive check-ups and the use of telemedicine for follow-ups can help flag early issues without stretching resources," she message is clear: many serious health problems can be prevented if people prioritise regular health check-ups and early intervention. A shift in mindset, from treating illness to preventing it, is crucial to building a healthier India, underscored Dr. Reel
