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Nearly 30 per cent of India’s adult population are living with high blood pressure. It has become one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and premature death, according to Dr Preetha Reddy, executive vice-chairman of the Apollo Hospitals.
On May 17, the World Hypertension Day, the Apollo Hospitals drew attention to the rising prevalence of hypertension in India. They find that despite its significant impact on public health, a large number of hypertensive people remain undiagnosed, the situation underlines the urgency for a national shift in healthcare priorities.
In a communique, the hospital authorities said Apollo Hospitals is advocating for integrating technology into the country’s healthcare systems to enhance the detection and management of hypertension. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and telemedicine are transforming how healthcare is delivered, allowing for more accurate risk assessments, early detection, and continuous management of hypertension.
Recent studies indicate that hypertension is affecting approximately 300 million people. Notably, nearly half of those with high blood pressure remain unaware of their condition. The prevalence is notably high among younger populations, with 26 percent of those aged under 45 diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2024.
Dr. Prathap C Reddy, chairman of the hospital group said, “India has overcome many public health crises, and each success was driven by awareness and collective effort. At Apollo Hospitals, we believe prevention is the first prescription. Through initiatives like Apollo ProHealth, we are transforming over 25 million screenings into powerful action, enhancing digital hypertension monitoring, strengthening policy advocacy, and making routine screenings a national priority. We want to see healthier, longer lives for every Indian."
According to Dr. Preetha Reddy, executive vice-chairperson of Apollo, hypertension is no longer a condition confined to age or genetics, it is increasingly becoming a silent epidemic among young urban populations. The real challenge lies not just in measuring blood pressure, but in understanding the broader cardiovascular risk profile of an individual. We must move beyond isolated metrics and embrace a more holistic understanding of biomarkers, as even mild imbalances can be early indicators of more serious underlying conditions. Moreover, with rapid urbanization, we are witnessing a sharp rise in sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and unrelenting stress, all of which are fuelling this public health crisis. Nearly 30 percent of India’s urban population under the age of 40 is already affected by hypertension or prehypertension. This calls for immediate and collective action across healthcare, policy and community awareness to protect the health of our fellow citizens.”
Evidence shows that 80 percent of heart attacks and strokes caused by hypertension could be prevented through simple lifestyle changes such as reducing salt intake, increasing physical activity, and stress management. While the medical management of hypertension is crucial, Apollo Hospitals is advocating for a shift towards preventive healthcare. The key to reversing the growing burden of hypertension lies in empowering individuals to take control of their health through regular screenings, healthier lifestyle choices, and managing risk factors before they evolve into serious complications.
Apollo Hospitals opened its first hospital in Chennai in 1983. Today Apollo is the world’s largest integrated healthcare platform with over 10,000 beds across 73 hospitals, nearly 6,000 pharmacies and over 200 clinics and diagnostic centres as well as 150 telemedicine centres. It is one of the world’s leading cardiac centres with over 3,00,000 angioplasties and 2,00,000 surgeries.
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