World Hypertension Day 2026: The 'silent killer' you should watch out for

On World Hypertension Day, observed every year on May 17, doctors and health experts continue to stress the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and lifestyle changes in tackling the silent condition that affects millions globally.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hypertension remains one of the leading preventable causes of premature death worldwide, with nearly 1.4 billion people living with the condition. Despite the availability of effective and affordable treatment, many remain unaware of their condition because symptoms often stay hidden until serious complications arise.

According to UNICEF reports, only one in four people with hypertension has their blood pressure adequately controlled.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi, Dr Vivek Nambiar, head of the Stroke Division in the Department of Neurology at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, explained how hypertension has evolved into one of the most dangerous lifestyle diseases in modern society and why awareness is now more important than ever.

"Hypertension is essentially caused by the hardening of the body's blood vessels. As age advances, the elasticity of blood vessels decreases, and the heart has to pump harder to circulate blood. This increased pressure can eventually lead to hypertension," he said.

Dr Vivek explained that lifestyle plays a crucial role in accelerating the condition. Years of smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy oily food, lack of exercise, and genetic factors can harden your arteries, increasing the risk of high blood pressure.

According to him, Indians and Asians also carry a genetic propensity, a high tendency towards hypertension, which becomes more severe when combined with unhealthy lifestyle habits.

He pointed out that hypertension is no longer a condition seen only among older adults. "In India, because of poor dietary habits and socio-economic changes in society, hypertension has become increasingly common among young people. Work stress also plays a crucial role," he noted.

While many people associate hypertension only with heart disease, Dr Vivek stressed that the condition can affect the entire body, from top to bottom. "In the brain, it can cause bleeding and strokes. In the eyes, it can lead to hypertensive retinopathy, which causes bleeding in the retina. In the kidneys, it causes hypertensive nephropathy, and in the heart, it can lead to hypertensive heart disease, and the abnormalities in the heart's rhythm eventually result in stroke."

According to him, one of the biggest concerns is that hypertension can progress silently without obvious symptoms, earning it the name "The Silent Killer".

"The interesting fact about hypertension is that it is diagnosed only when you check it," he explained, adding "You should never wait for symptoms to appear because, by then, the severity may already be high."

He strongly advocated for what he described as "primordial prevention", preventing the disease before it develops. "Healthy habits should begin from childhood itself. Children should be taught to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Even half an hour of walking every day can help prevent hypertension early on," he said.

Dr Vivek also highlighted the growing issue of excess sodium consumption among children and young adults. "People should reduce salt intake because excess sodium is one of the major causes of hypertension. Bakery products and foods containing baking soda often have very high sodium content, which is one reason why younger populations are developing hypertension earlier today," he said.

"By reducing salt consumption by 50 per cent, we can reduce hypertension by nearly 50 per cent, which also reduces the risk of stroke considerably,” he explained.

Calling stroke the most fatal side effect of hypertension, Dr Vivek described the devastating long-term consequences of uncontrolled blood pressure. Prolonged hypertension can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and blockages in the coronary arteries.

Sometimes minor strokes may damage parts of the brain and cause memory impairment, while larger blood vessel ruptures can lead to haemorrhage, sudden death, or permanent disability, he says, warning people.

For those already diagnosed, he talks about the importance of proper treatment and routine monitoring. "Blood pressure should ideally be measured in the morning before you have your cup of coffee and while the body is at rest," he advised, adding, "Fixing sleep schedules also helps because good sleep relaxes stress hormones that contribute to hypertension."

Along with sleep, diet also plays a major role in controlling blood pressure. He recommended consuming leafy vegetables and increasing potassium intake to help lower blood pressure naturally.

Addressing the common misconception that people can stop medication once their blood pressure appears normal, he cautioned against discontinuing treatment without medical advice.

"Many people in India take medicines for a few weeks and stop once they feel normal. What they don't understand is that these medicines work slowly within the blood vessels. You should never manipulate your medication, assuming you are free from hypertension," he said.

When asked about the one message he would like people to remember this World Hypertension Day, his answer was direct: "Check your blood pressure regularly because the only way to diagnose hypertension is by checking it. Every person, regardless of their age, should monitor their blood pressure at least once every six months."

Vividly recalling a case of a 20-year-old medical student who suddenly developed a stroke while examining a patient in the hospital ward, Dr Vivek said: "She was extremely young, and yet hypertension had already caused such severe damage. Cases like these make us realise how dangerous this disease truly is and why awareness, prevention, and timely treatment are so important."