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Rachel V Thomas

16 Million Indians Die Due To Hypertension Every Year: AIIMS Doc

<span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/hypertension">Hypertension</a></span> is the “number one killer” in India, with nearly 1.6 million people dying from the condition every year, said Dr. <span>Ambuj Roy</span>, Professor of Cardiology at the <span>All India Institute of Medical Sciences</span>, New Delhi, today.

Speaking to media persons on hypertension, Dr. <span>Roy</span> said the deaths “linked to high <span>blood pressure</span> are five times higher than tuberculosis fatalities and exceed the combined toll of communicable diseases such as TB, malaria, dengue, and HIV”. 

Calling hypertension a “silent but deadly disease,” he said most people remain unaware they have high blood pressure because symptoms are often absent.

“Ninety per cent of the time, hypertension does not cause symptoms. The only way to detect it is through regular screening,” he said. 

Dr. Roy also cited the ICMR and NFHS-5 data showing that nearly 30 crore Indians are living with hypertension.

According to him, one in four adults in rural India and one in three adults in urban areas have the condition. However, “only one in three people know they are hypertensive, one in five receive treatment, and just one in twelve achieve proper blood pressure control below 140/90 mmHg”.

<h2>Lifestyle Changes Surging Hypertension Risk </h2>

Dr Roy said lifestyle changes are driving the growing burden of hypertension in India. Poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, air pollution, stress, and poor sleep habits are major contributors, particularly among younger people. 

He highlighted excessive <span>salt</span> intake as a key concern. While the recommended salt intake is less than 5 grams per day, average consumption in India is around 12 grams daily. He also stressed the importance of potassium-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, noting that most Indians fail to consume the recommended 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day.

Further, the Cardiologist linked pollution exposure to rising hypertension rates. Referring to studies conducted by AIIMS in collaboration with IIT Delhi, Dr. Roy said areas exposed to crop burning showed a 15 per cent higher prevalence of hypertension.

Another study found that every 10 microgram increase in PM2.5 levels was associated with a 5 per cent higher risk of hypertension. 

Dr. Roy said reducing blood pressure by just 10 mmHg can significantly lower the risk of 

<ul><li>cardiovascular mortality by 20 per cent,</li><li><span rel="noindex">stroke</span> 28 per cent,</li><li>heart failure by 28 per cent,</li><li>coronary artery disease by 17 per cent,</li><li>mortality by 13 per cent. </li></ul>

He also referred to the “TOPSPIN trial,” a large Indian hypertension study, which found that a single-pill combination therapy using two medicines reduced blood pressure by 30–40 mmHg and helped nearly 70 per cent of patients achieve blood pressure control. 

The expert stated that around 70 per cent of patients may require long-term treatment or may need it lifelong. However, for nearly 30 per cent of people, hypertension can be reduced by stopping medication through:

<ul><li>sustained lifestyle changes </li><li>weight loss, </li><li>low-sodium diets, </li><li>exercise, </li><li>better sleep.</li></ul> 

<h2>‘Do Not Stop BP Medicines Abruptly’ </h2>

Importantly, Dr Roy cautioned people against stopping blood pressure medicines abruptly once readings improve.

“Blood pressure is controlled because of the medicine. If you stop it suddenly, BP can rise sharply and may trigger a brain stroke or hemorrhage,” he said. 

Dr. Roy also dismissed fears around side effects of antihypertensive medicines, calling them among the safest long-term drugs available. “The only side effect they have is benefits,” he remarked, adding that these medicines reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.

To reduce blood pressure naturally, the expert advised people to 

<ul><li>remain physically active for at least 150 minutes per week, </li><li>reduce processed and salty foods, </li><li>maintain hydration during heatwaves, </li><li>adopt DASH-style diets rich in fruits and vegetables.</li></ul>

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Hypertension is the “number one killer” in India, with nearly 1.6 million people dying from the condition every year, said Dr. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, today. Speaking to media persons on hypertension, Dr. Roy said the deaths “linked to high blood pressure are five times higher than tuberculosis fatalities and exceed the combined toll of communicable diseases such as TB, malaria, dengue, and HIV”. Calling hypertension a “silent but deadly disease,” he said most people remain unaware they have high blood pressure because symptoms are often absent. “Ninety per cent of the time, hypertension does not cause symptoms. The only way to detect it is through regular screening,” he said. Dr. Roy also cited the ICMR and NFHS-5 data showing that nearly 30 crore Indians are living with hypertension. According to him, one in four adults in rural India and one in three adults in urban areas have the condition. However, “only one in three people know they are hypertensive, one in five receive treatment, and just one in twelve achieve proper blood pressure control below 140/90 mmHg”. Lifestyle Changes Surging Hypertension Risk Dr Roy said lifestyle changes are driving the growing burden of hypertension in India. Poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, air pollution, stress, and poor sleep habits are major contributors, particularly among younger people. He highlighted excessive salt intake as a key concern. While the recommended salt intake is less than 5 grams per day, average consumption in India is around 12 grams daily. He also stressed the importance of potassium-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, noting that most Indians fail to consume the recommended 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day. Pollution: An Emerging Concern Further, the Cardiologist linked pollution exposure to rising hypertension rates. Referring to studies conducted by AIIMS in collaboration with IIT Delhi, Dr. Roy said areas exposed to crop burning showed a 15 per cent higher prevalence of hypertension. Another study found that every 10 microgram increase in PM2.5 levels was associated with a 5 per cent higher risk of hypertension. How To Reduce Hypertension Dr. Roy said reducing blood pressure by just 10 mmHg can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 20 per cent,stroke 28 per cent,heart failure by 28 per cent,coronary artery disease by 17 per cent,mortality by 13 per cent. He also referred to the “TOPSPIN trial,” a large Indian hypertension study, which found that a single-pill combination therapy using two medicines reduced blood pressure by 30–40 mmHg and helped nearly 70 per cent of patients achieve blood pressure control. The expert stated that around 70 per cent of patients may require long-term treatment or may need it lifelong. However, for nearly 30 per cent of people, hypertension can be reduced by stopping medication through:sustained lifestyle changes weight loss, low-sodium diets, exercise, better sleep. ‘Do Not Stop BP Medicines Abruptly’ Importantly, Dr Roy cautioned people against stopping blood pressure medicines abruptly once readings improve.“Blood pressure is controlled because of the medicine. If you stop it suddenly, BP can rise sharply and may trigger a brain stroke or hemorrhage,” he said. Dr. Roy also dismissed fears around side effects of antihypertensive medicines, calling them among the safest long-term drugs available. “The only side effect they have is benefits,” he remarked, adding that these medicines reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. To reduce blood pressure naturally, the expert advised people to remain physically active for at least 150 minutes per week, reduce processed and salty foods, maintain hydration during heatwaves, adopt DASH-style diets rich in fruits and vegetables.

16 million indians die due to hypertension every year: aiims doc

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