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Rachel V Thomas

More Indians Face Twin Burden of Hypertension and Diabetes After 40: Why Preventive Healthcare Is Important

India is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/hypertension">hypertension</a> and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a> among the major health concerns.

Experts warned that the risk of both conditions rises after 40, often without noticeable symptoms. Increasing age, weight gain, reduced physical activity, stress, dietary habits, and metabolic changes can all contribute to the risk. 

Having <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/hypertension">hypertension</a> and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">diabetes</a> together is particularly concerning, as their coexistence can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, retinopathy, and other complications.

Dr. Santosh Gupta, Associate Director - CTVS, Paras Health Udaipur, told HealthandMe that several factors contribute to the rising risk after 40.

“After the age of 40, the risk of hypertension and diabetes increases due to factors such as changes in metabolism, reduced physical activity, weight gain, stress and dietary habits. What makes both conditions particularly concerning is that they can develop silently, without noticeable symptoms, while gradually affecting vital organs,” he said. 

He added that uncontrolled hypertension can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels, while diabetes can affect the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and cardiovascular system. 

"When both conditions occur together, the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney complications becomes even higher,” Dr. Gupta added. 

Because both conditions can remain silent for years, people may have <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/icmr-study-highlights-indias-silent-cholesterol-crisis-9-in-10-adults-have-at-least-one-abnormal-blood-lipid-article-155133015" data-type="tilCustomLink">high blood pressure</a> or blood sugar without knowing it.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/breastfeeding-can-help-reduce-mothers-risk-of-type-2-diabetes-breast-cancer-and-more-article-155272779" data-type="tilCustomLink">Breastfeeding Can Help Reduce Mothers' Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Breast Cancer and More</a>

<h2>Hypertension And Diabetes Often Coexist </h2>

A recent hospital-based analysis found that hypertension and diabetes frequently occur together, with their coexistence rising sharply from around age 40 among Indians. 

The study, conducted by the Department of Clinical Research and Preventive Health Program at Max Healthcare, analyzed health records of more than 56,000 adults who underwent preventive health check-ups between January 2021 and December 2024. 

Nearly 5% of adults had both conditions. Their coexistence increased rapidly from around 40, continued rising until approximately 58 and gradually reached nearly 17% by around age 70. 

People with diabetes were nearly four times more likely to have hypertension, while those with hypertension were about 2.5 times more likely to have diabetes. 

Dr. Abhaya Indrayan, Biostatistics Consultant, Max Healthcare, said the findings support screening for both conditions rather than assessing them separately. 

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/confused-by-your-cholesterol-report-heres-what-ldl-and-apob-really-mean-article-154530945" data-type="tilCustomLink">Confused By Your Cholesterol Report? Here's What LDL And ApoB Really Mean</a>

Experts said that preventive healthcare should go beyond checking for individual diseases. Adults over 40 should routinely assess key cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure and blood sugar. 

Screening can help detect hypertension, diabetes or prediabetes early, when lifestyle changes and treatment can help prevent or delay complications. 

“This is why regular screening after 40 is important, even for individuals who feel completely healthy. A routine blood pressure check, fasting blood glucose or HbA1c test can help identify hypertension, diabetes or prediabetes at an early stage, when timely lifestyle changes and medical intervention can prevent or delay complications,” Dr. Gupta said. 

“Screening should not be viewed only as a diagnostic exercise; it is an opportunity to understand one’s health risks and take corrective measures before the disease begins to cause irreversible organ damage,” he added. 

Preventive care also involves addressing modifiable risk factors. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting salt, sugar and highly processed foods, getting adequate sleep and avoiding tobacco can help lower the long-term risk. 

For those already diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes, regular monitoring and adherence to prescribed treatment are important to reduce the risk of complications. 

With the risk of both conditions rising after 40, experts recommend making routine health checks part of regular healthcare—even when there are no obvious symptoms. 

Health Conditions A-Z

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Hypertension and Diabetes

Hypertension

Diabetes

cardiovascular health

non communicable diseases

heart disease

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India is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with hypertension and diabetes among the major health concerns.  Experts warned that the risk of both conditions rises after 40, often without noticeable symptoms. Increasing age, weight gain, reduced physical activity, stress, dietary habits, and metabolic changes can all contribute to the risk.  Having hypertension and diabetes together is particularly concerning, as their coexistence can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, retinopathy, and other complications.  Why Risk Rises After 40?  Dr. Santosh Gupta, Associate Director - CTVS, Paras Health Udaipur, told HealthandMe that several factors contribute to the rising risk after 40.  “After the age of 40, the risk of hypertension and diabetes increases due to factors such as changes in metabolism, reduced physical activity, weight gain, stress and dietary habits. What makes both conditions particularly concerning is that they can develop silently, without noticeable symptoms, while gradually affecting vital organs,” he said.  He added that uncontrolled hypertension can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels, while diabetes can affect the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and cardiovascular system.  "When both conditions occur together, the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney complications becomes even higher,” Dr. Gupta added.  Because both conditions can remain silent for years, people may have high blood pressure or blood sugar without knowing it.  Also read: Breastfeeding Can Help Reduce Mothers' Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Breast Cancer and MoreHypertension And Diabetes Often Coexist  A recent hospital-based analysis found that hypertension and diabetes frequently occur together, with their coexistence rising sharply from around age 40 among Indians.  The study, conducted by the Department of Clinical Research and Preventive Health Program at Max Healthcare, analyzed health records of more than 56,000 adults who underwent preventive health check-ups between January 2021 and December 2024.  Nearly 5% of adults had both conditions. Their coexistence increased rapidly from around 40, continued rising until approximately 58 and gradually reached nearly 17% by around age 70.  People with diabetes were nearly four times more likely to have hypertension, while those with hypertension were about 2.5 times more likely to have diabetes.  Dr. Abhaya Indrayan, Biostatistics Consultant, Max Healthcare, said the findings support screening for both conditions rather than assessing them separately.  Why Screening After 40 Matters  Read More: Confused By Your Cholesterol Report? Here's What LDL And ApoB Really MeanExperts said that preventive healthcare should go beyond checking for individual diseases. Adults over 40 should routinely assess key cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure and blood sugar.  Screening can help detect hypertension, diabetes or prediabetes early, when lifestyle changes and treatment can help prevent or delay complications.  “This is why regular screening after 40 is important, even for individuals who feel completely healthy. A routine blood pressure check, fasting blood glucose or HbA1c test can help identify hypertension, diabetes or prediabetes at an early stage, when timely lifestyle changes and medical intervention can prevent or delay complications,” Dr. Gupta said.  “Screening should not be viewed only as a diagnostic exercise; it is an opportunity to understand one’s health risks and take corrective measures before the disease begins to cause irreversible organ damage,” he added.  How To Lower The Risk  Preventive care also involves addressing modifiable risk factors. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting salt, sugar and highly processed foods, getting adequate sleep and avoiding tobacco can help lower the long-term risk.  For those already diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes, regular monitoring and adherence to prescribed treatment are important to reduce the risk of complications.  With the risk of both conditions rising after 40, experts recommend making routine health checks part of regular healthcare—even when there are no obvious symptoms. 

more indians face twin burden of hypertension and diabetes after 40: why preventive healthcare is important

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