Prevalence of hypertension in India 2019-2021, by wealth quintile and gender

According to a survey conducted between 2019 to 2021 in India, the prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher among the population in the fourth and highest wealth quintile. The prevalence of hypertension was highest with over 29 percent among men in the highest wealth quintile.

Causes of high blood pressure

Over 230 million Indians suffer from high blood pressure of which over 11 percent lie between the ages of 15 to 49 years. The younger generation today is succumbing to fast-paced and stressful lives and is hence, at risk of developing high blood pressure or being diagnosed with prehypertension which can be the onset of hypertension in the future.

In addition, unhealthy diets compounded with obesity, physical inactivity, and poor stress management can increase the risk of hypertension. Further, the use of tobacco and alcohol consumption can damage blood vessels increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Mitigation and control strategies

The government of India set a target of reducing the prevalence of hypertension by 25 percent by 2025, making it a public health priority. Only 12 percent of people with hypertension have self-monitoring devices and, hence, have their levels under control. Uncontrolled blood pressure is known to be the main cause of cardiovascular disease in India. Under the India Hypertension Control Initiative, procurement of anti-hypertension medicines, building capacity of health care providers, and monitoring patients through digital apps was a successful step toward prevention and control.