Hypertension

Hypertension continues to emerge as a major public health concern in Karnataka, with the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6, 2023-24) revealing a rise in the proportion of adults with elevated blood pressure compared to the previous NFHS-5 survey conducted in 2019-21.

Among women aged 15 years and above, 25.1% were found to have elevated blood pressure—defined as systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher, diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher, or currently taking medicines for hypertension. This marks a slight increase from 25% recorded in NFHS-5.

The prevalence was higher in urban areas, where 27.8% of women were affected, compared to 23.3% in rural Karnataka. The survey also found that 11.6% of women had mildly elevated blood pressure, while 6.4% had moderately or severely elevated blood pressure.

The increase was more pronounced among men. According to NFHS-6, 28.2% of men aged 15 years and above had elevated blood pressure, up from 26.9% in NFHS-5. Urban men reported a significantly higher prevalence at 32.4%, compared to 25.7% among rural men.

The survey further showed that 15.4% of men had mildly elevated blood pressure, while 4% were classified as having moderately or severely elevated blood pressure. Although the proportion of men with severe hypertension has declined from 6.7% in NFHS-5 to 4% in NFHS-6, there is an overall increase in elevated blood pressure .

What are the key factors driving this rise in hypertension across the state?

The rise in hypertension across Karnataka is a perfect storm of modern life and aging. As cities expand, we’re moving less, eating more processed food, and dealing with intense daily stress. This has triggered a spike in obesity and diabetes, which directly drive up blood pressure. Because hypertension is a “silent killer” with no obvious symptoms, better screening is catching more cases than before. Still, the reality is clear: our changing lifestyles are outpacing current prevention efforts.

The survey indicates that urban residents have a higher prevalence of hypertension than rural populations. How are lifestyle changes and urban living contributing to this trend?

The life of urbanites is fundamentally reshaping their health. Long desk hours and exhausting commutes have made daily life incredibly sedentary. At the same time, traditional fresh meals are frequently replaced by convenient, processed foods packed with hidden sodium and unhealthy fats. The changes are not limited to diet and inactivity, it is also impacting mental health. Relentless work pressure, financial stress, poor sleep are constantly keeping the body in a fight-to-fight state. Alongwith, all these the rising air pollution and the habits of smoking and drinking are also the reason behind why urban blood pressure is rising.

Hypertension is increasingly being detected among younger adults. What could be the reason? Are you seeing a similar trend in your clinical practice, and what should young people do to reduce their risk?

Yes, this is a trend we are increasingly observing in clinical practice. Earlier, hypertension was largely considered a disease of middle-aged and older adults. Today, it is not uncommon to diagnose high blood pressure in people in their late 20s and 30s. The reasons are multifactorial. Sedentary lifestyles, rising obesity rates, excessive consumption of processed foods, high stress levels, inadequate sleep, smoking, alcohol use, and prolonged screen time are all contributing to earlier onset of hypertension. Family history and underlying metabolic conditions such as diabetes can further increase risk. Young adults should not assume they are immune to hypertension. Regular blood pressure screening, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, reducing salt intake, avoiding tobacco products, limiting alcohol consumption, managing stress, and prioritizing quality sleep can significantly lower their risk. Early detection is critical because uncontrolled hypertension can silently damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels over time.

What public health measures and individual lifestyle changes are most effective in preventing hypertension and reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke in Karnataka?

Hypertension prevention requires both population-level interventions and individual action. Public health efforts should focus on strengthening routine screening programs, especially at the primary healthcare level, increasing awareness about the dangers of uncontrolled blood pressure, promoting healthier diets, and encouraging physical activity through community initiatives and urban planning. At the individual level, people should adopt heart-healthy habits such as consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting salt, sugar, and processed foods. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, moderating alcohol intake, and effectively managing stress are equally important. Most importantly, adults should monitor their blood pressure regularly, even if they feel healthy. Hypertension remains undetected for years. Therefore, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can substantially reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and kidney disease.

 

Dr Pradeep.Kumar D, Senior Consultant – Cardiology, Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru