Having elevated blood pressure levels, or hypertension, is considered to be common among Indians, but not many are aware of the risks associated with the condition, which affects over 40 percent of adults. According to the National Family and Health Survey’s (NFHS) latest report, 21 percent of women and 24 percent of men of age 15 years and over have hypertension and around 40 percent of adults of age 15 years and over are pre-hypertensive. The NFHS data further reveals, among the diagnosed hypertensives only 7 percent of women and 6 percent of men took medicines to lower their blood pressure.

Hypertension occurs when the systolic blood pressure—the pressure exerted on the arteries when the heart beats—is more than the normal 120 mmHg (millimetres of mercury) and diastolic pressure—the pressure on the arteries when the heart rests between the beat—is more than 80 mmHg. A serious medical condition, experts point out, if not diagnosed at an earlier stage, hypertension can pose threats to the individual’s heart, kidney, brain and eyes.