Nagpur: With rising urban stress, sedentary lifestyles, and poor dietary habits, doctors in the region are witnessing a worrying increase in younger patients being diagnosed with high blood pressure.On the eve of WorldHypertension Day, leading cardiologists from Nagpur sounded the alarm over the “silent killer,” which continues to claim lives due to poor awareness, delayed diagnosis, and persistent myths surrounding the condition.“Hypertension is responsible for 13.1% of all global deaths. It’s a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. Despite these staggering facts, 63% of people in India don’t even know they are hypertensive. This ignorance is deadly,” said Dr Amey Beedkar, a cardiologist.Doctors are urging people to check their blood pressure regularly—even in the absence of symptoms—as hypertension often goes undetected until it causes irreversible damage. If left uncontrolled, it can lead to stroke, brain haemorrhage, vision loss, kidney failure, and heart failure, they warned.Dr Amar Amale, senior cardiologist and president of the Cardiology Society Vidarbha Chapter, emphasised the need to destigmatise hypertension. “It’s not a taboo or a matter of shame. Hypertension is a chronic condition influenced by age, lifestyle, and family history,” he said. “We’ve seen both patients and their families suffer needlessly due to delayed care, false beliefs, and neglect.”Hypertension is also strongly linked to other metabolic disorders. Data shows that among hypertensive patients in India, 30% also have elevated LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), 25% have increased uric acid levels, and around 35–40% are obese. As a result, effective blood pressure management can also help prevent these associated conditions.On World Hypertension Day, several hospitals and health organisations in the city are organising free BP check-up camps and awareness sessions on Saturday. Experts are also stressing the importance of early lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress, and adhering to prescribed medications, in managing hypertension effectively.“Prevention and early detection are our strongest tools,” said Dr. Amale. “Let’s not wait for a heart attack or stroke to take hypertension seriously.”When to urgently check blood pressure:– If you feel dizzy when walking– If you experience breathlessness during routine activities– If you have a family history of high blood pressure– If your lifestyle involves high stress– If you are obese or diabetic
