Telangana grapples with high-levels of blood pressure

Hypertension is widespread in Telangana, especially among men, posing major health risks such as heart disease and stroke. NFHS-2021 data shows 25% of men and 15% of women aged 15-49 have elevated blood pressure, demanding urgent health interventions

Hyderabad: Men and women in Telangana are grappling with high prevalence of elevated blood pressure, a major metabolic risk factor that increases their vulnerability to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, chronic kidney diseases progressing to kidney failures, various forms of heart ailments and peripheral artery diseases.

The sustained elevated levels of blood pressure, if left unmanaged, can lead to hardening and narrowing of the arteries, putting immense strain on the heart and other vital organs.

---

The prevalence of elevated hypertension is particularly severe among men across all age groups in both urban and rural settings.  In contrast, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among women in the State is lower, although it remains significant when compared to the national average.

Overall, across the country, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among men (above 15 years) is 24 percent while among women, it is 21 percent. In contrast, based on the recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-2021 data, 15 percent of women (15-49 years) in Telangana have elevated blood pressure, whereas 25 percent of men from the State (one-fourth) have high blood pressure.

The NFHS survey classified individuals as having hypertension if they have a systolic blood pressure level greater than or equal to 140 mmHg, or a diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg, or he/she is currently taking antihypertensive medication to lower his/her blood pressure

15 percent of women (15-49 years) in Telangana have hypertension, including 9 percent with Stage 1 hypertension and 2 percent each with Stage 2 and less than one percent with Stage 3 hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among men aged 15-49 is somewhat higher than among women. Notably, 25 percent (One-fourth) of men in Telangana have hypertension, including 17 percent with Stage 1 hypertension, 5 percent with Stage 2 hypertension, and 1 percent with Stage 3 hypertension, according to NFHS data.

Elevated blood pressure in TS:

Women: Age wise percentage prevalence

Age wise:

15-19:  3.3 (percent)

20-24: 4.5

25-29: 6.3

30-34: 12.1

35-39: 17.3

40-44: 26.8

45-49: 35.8

Urban: 17.3 percent ; Rural: 13. Percent

Men: Age wise percentage prevalence

Age wise:

15-19:  4.4 (percent)

20-24: 14.7

25-29: 17.1

30-34: 22.2

35-39: 35.4

40-44: 41.1

45-49: 45.2

Urban: 29.6 percent ; Rural: 22.4 Percent

India wide patterns elevated blood pressure data:

• 21 percent of women age 15 and over have hypertension
• Forty-four percent of women have blood pressure within the normal range.
• Almost two-fifths (39 percent) of women are pre-hypertensive.
• 24 percent of men age 15 and over have hypertension
• 30 percent of men have normal blood pressure and 49 percent are pre-hypertensive.
• For both women and men, the prevalence of hypertension increases sharply with age.
• About one-fourth of women and men age 40-49 have hypertension.