Sheikh Aamir from Sheerwani Pora has endured the unimaginable weight of losing two close beloved family members. A few weeks ago, he lost his grandfather when the latter’s blood pressure shot up to a point that he could not recover.
This was the second time that Aamir’s family lost a member to high blood pressure. “My uncle, a 30-year-old teacher, died in 2018. He had a sudden cardiac arrest triggered by very high blood pressure,” Aamir says and shakes his head in disbelief. “We never expected this. We didn’t think hypertension could be such a deadly killer,” he says.
Gathering his voice, Aamir says, “We need to raise awareness. High blood pressure is serious, no matter your age. Don’t let it steal your loved ones like it stole mine.”
Aamir’s family’s double loss underscores a growing concern regarding high blood pressure. It isn’t just a threat to the elderly. Aamir’s story is a stark reminder that young adults can also be at risk.
High blood pressure, often referred to as hypertension, has long been a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, renal failure and brain haemorrhage. Recent trends paint a more concerning picture.
Hypertension seems to be tightening its grip on populations worldwide, becoming a “sharp killer” as renowned Cardiologist and Additional Professor SKIMS Soura, Dr Imran Hafeez describes it.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 2.6 lakh people in India die from hypertension every year, which is about 10.8% of all deaths in the country.
A Silent Scourge in Jammu and Kashmir
As per the study conducted by ICMR, “one in every 3 persons suffer from prehypertension in India.”
Jammu and Kashmir reveal a higher hypertension rate of 45.2 percent, Ladakh 48.8 percent, Rajasthan 43.5 percent, and Chhattisgarh 38.8 percent, according to the study.
According to a 2022 study, 24.9% of males and 12.3% of females in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in J&K is higher in tribal populations, with 41.4% of tribals having hypertension.
Dr Hafeez sees the impact first-hand. “I see at least 25 patients out of every 100 suffering from chronic hypertension,” he says. This silent threat often goes unnoticed, earning it the moniker “the silent killer.” But despite its rising prevalence, there is silence about its potential threat and this silence is deafening.
Understanding the Pressure
Blood pressure represents the force exerted by circulating blood against the arterial walls. It’s measured using two numbers: systolic (peak pressure during heartbeats) and diastolic (pressure between beats).
The American Heart Association (AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) provide guidelines for diagnosing and managing hypertension. In India, doctors primarily follow AHA’s threshold of 130/80 mmHg or higher for hypertension diagnosis, though ESC’s 140/90 mmHg is also acknowledged, says Dr Hafeez.
Primary hypertension, with unknown causes, accounts for 90% of cases, while secondary hypertension results from underlying conditions like kidney disease or hormonal imbalances. Lifestyle factors like salt-rich and saturated fats-rich diet, physical activity, and smoking contribute to primary hypertension development.
“Once the underlying cause is identified and addressed, secondary hypertension can often be controlled,” he says.
A Sharpening Threat
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.28 billion adults worldwide have hypertension. This translates to roughly one in three adults. And the numbers see an upward spiral. The reasons for this rise are complex and multifaceted.
Dr Saleem Wani, valley’s renowned Urologist and Head of the Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant Unit SKIMS Soura, highlights hypertension and diabetes as the leading causes of end-stage renal failure based on his experience as a transplant surgeon. “He adds that the incidence of end-stage renal failure is around 150 to 200 per million population, while around 800 per million population suffer from chronic kidney disease. These statistics translate to a staggering 1.6 lakh people in India waiting for organ transplants due to end-stage renal failure mostly caused by these two factors.”
Dr Wani says, “Hypertension is a lifelong disease but the consequences of uncontrolled hypertension are severe. It can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, brain haemorrhage, and even dementia. These complications not only impact individual lives but also place a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide.”
Constant Care and Neglect
Hypertension patients need constant medication and healthcare.
As Waseem Ahmad Dar from Sheerwani pora Boniyar narrates his mother’s condition. She is suffering from hypertension and chronic pain, leading to her eye protruding from its socket. Doctors in Kashmir advised surgery and referral to Chandigarh or Delhi. A month ago, she experienced a stressful event, potentially contributing to the eye’s expulsion. Despite the severity, Dar is grateful, as it prevented a stroke or brain haemorrhage.
Shahid Lone’s father, in his early 40s, has been grappling with chronic hypertension since his 20s, relying heavily on medication to manage his condition. Shahid reveals that they exercise utmost caution with his father’s diet, strictly avoiding salty and meat-based foods. This vigilance stems from a previous harrowing incident where uncontrolled high blood pressure caused him to suffer a severe nosebleed and mouth bleeding. Shahid emphasizes that for the past two decades, his father has adhered to a stringent diet consisting primarily of simple vegetables and fiber-rich foods to mitigate the risks associated with his long-standing hypertension.
Shahid’s story is not an isolated one. Two years ago, Imran Mughal’s sister succumbed to a brain haemorrhage. Aisha, (Name Changed) seemingly healthy in her mid-20s had ignored the subtle signs of hypertension, leading to this devastating outcome. “She ignored it even though there was a family history. My father had chronic hypertension. Even my mother suffers from hypertension,” he says.
Dr Hafeez cautions against the lack of awareness and the absence of regular health checkups. Many patients only seek help after experiencing a health crisis, often too late for a complete reversal of damage.
The 2022 study evaluated a rural population of 6 districts of J&K. The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was seen in 63% of this population. It found the highest incidence of raised blood pressure in the age group of 40–60 (49%), followed by the participants above the age group of 60 (40%).
Of the patients prescribed 2 or more drugs, only 65 (30.8%) were taking it, while only one drug was being taken by 34 (16.1%) of them while 112 (53.1%) were not on any drugs despite being recommended drug treatment.
The high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension suggests that a number of cardiovascular complications can be prevented by improved blood pressure control.
A Hidden Threat
“Ironically, hypertension often lurks undetected, exhibiting few overt symptoms until it has woven its web of complications,” cautions Dr Hafeez. “Some may experience headaches, back pain, neck pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, but these subtle signs are frequently overlooked or attributed to other causes. “ High blood pressure is dangerous because it often has no symptoms, “allowing it to silently inflict damage on vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and brain,” he added.
It is particularly rising among the youth, he points out.
National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2021 has revealed alarming statistics on hypertension prevalence in the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state. 19 percent of the “above 15 years” age group has elevated blood pressure and takes medication to control it. More women suffer from elevated blood pressure than men.
Causes: A Constellation of Risk Factors
Dr Wani and Dr Hafeez both elaborate, “the origins of hypertension are multifaceted. Genetic predispositions play a significant role in hypertension. Sedentary lifestyles, coupled with diets rich in sodium and processed foods, can conspire to raise blood pressure levels.” Those with a family history of the condition are more susceptible to its grasp. They add, “Diabetes, a metabolic disorder affecting millions, is another potent risk factor, disrupting the delicate balance of blood pressure regulation.”
“Lifestyle choices cast long shadows,” says Dr Wani. “Smoking constricts blood vessels, while obesity, social stress, and the pervasive presence of depression and anxiety can wreak havoc on our bodies, elevating blood pressure levels.”
Preventive Measures: Fortifying the Defences
Dr Wani and Dr Hafeez emphasize a healthy lifestyle for preventing hypertension. This includes regular exercise, like walking 30-40 minutes most days of the week, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein while limiting processed foods, salt, and saturated fats. Managing stress through meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking are also important.
For those already grappling with hypertension, Dr Hafeez stresses, “Adhering to prescribed medications and maintaining regular check-ups with healthcare professionals becomes paramount in controlling this silent stalker.”
Have you liked the news article?