Dr. Sunil Kumar Mandal
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, also known as silent killer it usually develops without noticeable symptoms while silently damaging vital organs like the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. On World Hypertension Day, that is observed every year on May 17, it is important to spread awareness about the prevention and early detection of this “silent killer”.
Today, hypertension affects millions of people worldwide, including a substantial number of young adults. Sedentary lifestyle, excessive salt intake, obesity, chronic stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, and unhealthy eating habits are major contributors to rising blood pressure levels. Family history and underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can further increase the risk.
The biggest challenge with hypertension is that many individuals remain unaware that they have it until serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or kidney damage occur. Regular blood pressure monitoring is therefore extremely important. A normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg, and consistently elevated readings require medical attention.
Although hypertension may not show symptoms in its early stages, certain warning signs can appear when blood pressure rises to dangerously high levels. These may include frequent headaches, dizziness, blurred or double vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, or occasional nosebleeds. Such symptoms should not be neglected and require immediate medical evaluation.
Hypertension can be effectively controlled through healthy lifestyle modifications such as regular physical activity, reduced salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, stress management, quitting smoking, abstinence from alcohol intake, and consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can significantly help in blood pressure control. Regular health check-ups, routine blood pressure monitoring, and continuous follow-up with a healthcare professional are essential for preventing long-term complications related to hypertension. |
