LONDON — Millions of people around the world are living with high blood pressure without knowing it. Often called a silent health risk, hypertension can damage the heart, brain and kidneys without causing clear warning signs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 were living with hypertension worldwide in 2024. Around 600 million of them were unaware of their condition.
High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries remains too high. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.
WHY DOES BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASE?
Several factors can increase the risk of hypertension. These include excessive salt consumption, lack of physical activity, being overweight, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and family history.
Age and certain existing health conditions can also increase the risk.
SIMPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Health experts recommend making small but regular changes to daily habits.
- Reduce salt intake: Limit salt and highly processed foods. Adults should consume less than five grams of salt a day.
- Eat a balanced diet: Include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and pulses in daily meals.
- Stay physically active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week. Brisk walking, cycling and swimming are good options.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Managing body weight can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
- Avoid tobacco: Smoking and other tobacco products increase the risk of heart and blood vessel diseases.
- Manage stress and sleep well: Regular sleep and healthy ways of managing stress support overall health.
REGULAR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS ARE IMPORTANT
High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms. Therefore, people should not wait until they feel unwell before checking their blood pressure.
The WHO defines hypertension as blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg or higher on measurements taken on two different days.
A single high reading does not necessarily mean a person has hypertension. Proper measurement and medical assessment are important.
NEVER STOP MEDICATION WITHOUT MEDICAL ADVICE
Lifestyle changes can help control blood pressure, but some people also need medication.
People diagnosed with hypertension should take prescribed medicines regularly and attend medical check-ups. They should never reduce or stop their medication without consulting a healthcare professional, even if their readings improve.
A SMALL STEP TOWARDS A HEALTHIER FUTURE
Hypertension is a global health challenge, but early detection and proper treatment can prevent many serious complications.
Whether living in India, Ireland, the UK, the Middle East or elsewhere, regular health checks and healthy daily habits can make a significant difference.
Taking a few minutes to check blood pressure could help protect a person's health for years to come.
Remember: You do not have to feel ill to have high blood pressure. Regular checks can help detect the problem before serious complications develop.
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