World Hypertension Day 2019: Know about the signs, risks and treatment for hypertension

Hypertension is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. According to the National Family Health Survey, which screened 22.5 million people across India in 2017, one out of every eight Indian suffers from hypertension. It is commonly known as high blood pressure and contributes to 57 per cent of stroke deaths, and 24 per cent of coronary artery deaths.

High blood pressure is often termed a ‘silent killer’ as it has no symptoms until organs in the body are seriously affected. People with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren’t specific and usually don’t occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.