Hypertension: 200000000 Indians in the grip of 'silent killer', ICMR tells the reasons and ways to control it

A dangerous disease is spreading rapidly in India, which is called 'silent killer'. This disease is high blood pressure i.e. hypertension. According to a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), about 200 million (20 crore people) in India suffer from high blood pressure. The worrying thing is that only one crore of these people have blood pressure under control.

According to the ICMR report, 'High blood pressure is a serious and ever-increasing health problem in India today.' You will be surprised to know that there are no specific symptoms in the initial stages of high blood pressure. This is the reason why it is called 'silent killer'. Many times this disease is not detected until it becomes the cause of some serious disease. High blood pressure can lead to serious problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and even loss of eyesight.

Main causes of high blood pressure
* Unhealthy lifestyle: Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of high blood pressure.
* Obesity: People who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of having high blood pressure.
* Genetic: If someone in your family has a problem like high blood pressure or heart disease, then you are also at a higher risk.
* Stress: Constant stress can also cause high blood pressure.

How to control
* Healthy diet: Take a balanced diet with less salt which includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Reduce fat and cholesterol intake.
* Regular exercise: Do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity exercise a week.
* Lose weight: If you are overweight, try to lose weight.
* Quit smoking: Smoking increases blood pressure, so try to quit smoking.
* Reduce alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure.

* Reduce stress: Yoga, meditation or deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress.
* Blood pressure check: Get your blood pressure checked regularly as advised by your doctor.

If you suffer from high blood pressure or are at risk, consult a doctor. They can create a proper treatment plan for you. By controlling high blood pressure, you can reduce the risk of serious health problems and live a healthy life.

(PC: Freepik)