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Serious severity
· Cardiology
Hypertension
High blood pressure · The silent killer
Persistently high pressure of blood against artery walls. Most people feel nothing until it damages the heart, kidneys or eyes — which is why annual screening matters.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 3 Indian adults
- Typical age
- 30+ years
- Outlook
- Manageable, lifelong
- System
- Heart
Reviewed by a practising cardiology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Family history & genetics
- High-salt, low-potassium diet
- Chronic stress & poor sleep
- Obesity and inactivity
- Smoking, heavy alcohol, NSAIDs
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Often none — picked up on routine BP check
- Persistent morning headaches
- Blurred vision or dizziness
- Chest tightness or palpitations
- Nosebleeds in severe cases
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Daily BP monitoring at home
- ACE inhibitors, ARBs, CCBs
- DASH-style diet (less sodium, more produce)
- 150 min/week moderate exercise
- Stress management & sleep hygiene
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Limit salt to under 5 g/day
- Keep BMI under 25
- Cap alcohol at 2 drinks/week
- Sleep 7–8 hours; manage stress
- Annual BP check after age 30
Do’s
- Check BP twice a week, same time
- Eat leafy greens, banana, beetroot
- Walk 30 mins after dinner
- Take meds at the same hour daily
Don’ts
- Skip medication when BP "feels fine"
- Add table salt to cooked food
- Smoke or use chewing tobacco
- Ignore a sudden severe headache
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all cardiology doctors Top 4 doctors for Hypertension
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
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2
DP
3
DB
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.