Sandeep Sharma, 30, experienced severe abdominal and chest pain during a shower, leading to a sudden heart attack due to his high blood pressure of 170/90 mm/Hg. At the AIIMS hypertension clinic, he’s joined by Pradeep Kotnala, 50, who nearly collapsed six years ago with a BP of 200/100 mm/Hg. Both suffered heart attacks due to undiagnosed hypertension damaging their heart vessels over time.
Cardiologist Dr. Ambuj Roy, who oversees the clinic, isn’t surprised by such cases, as 90% of hypertension cases are due to multiple factors and need to be cared for through medication, diet, exercise, and sleep adjustments.
Hypertension often goes unnoticed, earning its nickname “silent killer” for its lack of symptoms. “Left undiagnosed and untreated, hypertension increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. That’s why young people should start regular screening, at least once a year, beginning at the age of 25,” says Dr Roy.
The Risk Factors
Unchecked hypertension in Kotnala’s situation resulted in a kidney clot. After its removal, his BP decreased. He now ensures he takes his BP-lowering medication without fail and maintains a regular exercise routine.
Sharma didn’t have common risk factors of hypertension like family history, cholesterol, obesity, or diabetes. But he drank once a week and smoked a couple of times a day. He was stressed at work and slept poorly. He was eating two meals every day, overloading himself with carbohydrates, and had little proteins, thus suffering from a heart attack.
Exercise Daily and Stick To Diet
Exercise is a key component to keeping a healthy heart and body. Dr Roy suggested, “Everyone should exercise at least 25 – 30 minutes, five to six days a week. Even if your weight doesn’t go down, it can still bring down your BP. Every kilogram that a person shed can bring down their BP by as much as a pill would.” He further added, “It is a myth that long-term dependency on BP-lowering medicines will cause side effects. Medicines keep your blood pressure in check. The only effect of long-term use of the medicine is a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.” Nearly 315 million Indians live with hypertension. However, only one in three get diagnosed, and one in five get treated.
