New Delhi: Exposure to crop burning and rising air pollution may be significantly increasing hypertension risk among Indians, according to AIIMS doctors.
Key Findings from Studies
Citing studies conducted by AIIMS and IIT Delhi, cardiology expert Dr. Ambuj Roy said that populations exposed to higher crop-burning pollution showed nearly 15% higher prevalence of hypertension. Additionally, every 10 microgram rise in PM2.5 exposure increased hypertension risk by almost 5%.
Hypertension: A Silent Killer
Dr. Roy, from AIIMS, noted that hypertension is a silent but deadly disease. Nearly 30 crore Indians are estimated to be living with high blood pressure. He added that hypertension causes nearly five times more deaths than tuberculosis in India and more deaths than several communicable diseases combined, including malaria, dengue, and HIV.
Mortality and Awareness
High blood pressure claims nearly 16 lakh lives every year in India. According to ICMR and National Family Health Survey studies, nearly one in three adults in urban India and one in four adults in rural India now have hypertension. However, only one in three people with hypertension are aware of their condition, only one in five receive treatment, and barely one in 12 achieve proper blood pressure control.
Lack of Symptoms
Doctors warned that hypertension often shows no symptoms until it triggers serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. Dr. Roy said, "We have people who walk into clinics with blood pressure above 180 and still feel absolutely normal."
Recommendations for Screening
Adults above 25 years should get their blood pressure checked at least once every year, the doctor advised.
Drivers of Rising Hypertension
Experts said the rising burden of hypertension is driven by changing lifestyles, obesity, processed foods, stress, lack of physical activity, and poor sleep patterns. Dr. Roy highlighted that average salt consumption in India is nearly 12 grams daily, more than double the recommended limit of 5 grams per day. At the same time, most Indians consume inadequate amounts of potassium-rich fruits and vegetables, further increasing hypertension risk.
Rural Concerns
Doctors also raised concern over rising hypertension in villages, saying rural lifestyles are rapidly changing due to processed foods, packaged snacks, and declining physical activity.
Lifestyle Interventions
Lifestyle changes such as weight reduction, regular exercise, lower salt intake, and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables can significantly reduce blood pressure levels. Dr. Roy said that losing 10 kg of weight could reduce blood pressure almost equivalent to the effect of one medicine.
Heatwave Precautions
Dr. Neeraj Nischal from AIIMS advised people, especially those already suffering from hypertension, to stay hydrated during ongoing heatwave conditions, as dehydration can worsen blood pressure-related complications.
