Hypertension symptoms: Most people with hypertension have vague symptoms like headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nosebleeds, or even blurred vision (Image: Pexels)
High blood pressure, or hypertension, often comes without warning. You may look and feel perfectly fine while inside, your heart and blood vessels are under siege. In India, may people, those with hypertension, remain undiagnosed, a statistic that’s as alarming as it is tragic.
The danger is in its silence. Dr Ravi Kesari, MD and General Physician at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Bangalore, tells Moneycontrol, “People live for years with high blood pressure without realising it. By the time they feel unwell, the damage may already have affected the heart, kidneys, or even the brain.”
Most people with hypertension don’t notice any symptoms early on. “When signs finally appear, they’re often vague, with symptoms like headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nosebleeds, or even blurred vision. Sometimes, the first clue comes only after a major health scare such as a stroke or heart attack.” he warns.
Also read | Hypertension and habits: How lifestyle changes help lower blood pressure levels
What’s raising our blood pressure:
A mix of modern living and old habits are fuelling the crisis:
- Diets high in salt, fried foods, and trans fats
- Low intake of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity
- Stress, poor sleep, and family history of hypertension
Dr Kesari stresses, “Even small changes, like walking daily, cutting down on salt, or giving up smoking, can bring blood pressure back to normal ranges.”
Also read | Hypertension at 30: How bad lifestyle habits raise blood pressure in young adults
How to lower high blood pressure
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Dr Kesari suggests steps to take control:
- Get your blood pressure checked regularly
- Eat balanced meals with plenty of fruit and veg
- Stay active every day
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
- Manage stress, rest well, and sleep properly
India’s battle with hypertension isn’t just a medical issue, it’s a public health challenge. The silence around early symptoms makes awareness the first line of defence. Routine screening, better education, and healthier lifestyles could turn the tide.
FAQs on Symptoms of Hypertension
1. What are the common symptoms of hypertension?
Hypertension often shows no early symptoms. When they do appear, they may include headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nosebleeds, or blurred vision.
2. Why is hypertension called a silent killer?
Hypertension is termed a silent killer because many live without symptoms for years, only discovering it after significant heart, kidney, or brain damage occurs.
3. What lifestyle factors contribute to hypertension?
Contributors include diets high in salt, fried foods, and trans fats, low intake of fruits and vegetables, smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, stress, poor sleep, and family history.
4. How can one reduce high blood pressure?
Regular blood pressure checks, balanced meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables, daily physical activity, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, managing stress, and proper sleep can help reduce high blood pressure.
5. Why is early detection of hypertension important?
Early detection is crucial to prevent serious health issues like strokes or heart attacks. Routine screening and awareness can help manage and reduce the risks associated with hypertension.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.