Hyderabad: One in four men in Telangana aged 15 to 49 has elevated blood pressure, the highest metabolic risk factor contributing to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-2021.
The survey classifies individuals as hypertensive if their systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher, diastolic pressure is 90 mmHg or higher, or they are taking medication for hypertension. In Telangana, 25 per cent of men aged 15–49 meet this threshold. Of these, 17 per cent have Stage 1 hypertension, 5 per cent have Stage 2, and 1 per cent have Stage 3.
Among women, 15 per cent in the same age group are hypertensive—9 per cent at Stage 1, 2 per cent at Stage 2, and less than 1 per cent at Stage 3. Though lower than the male figures, the rate still exceeds the national female average of 21 per cent.
Age is a key risk factor. Among women, the rate rises from 3.3 per cent at age 15–19 to 35.8 per cent by 45–49. For men, prevalence increases from 4.4 per cent to 45.2 per cent over the same age range.
Urban residents are more affected. Elevated blood pressure affects 29.6 per cent of urban men versus 22.4 per cent in rural areas. Among women, 17.3 per cent in urban areas show elevated levels compared to 13 per cent in rural areas.
Nationally, 24 per cent of men aged 15 and over have hypertension, while 49 per cent are classified as pre-hypertensive. Among women, 21 per cent have hypertension, and 39 per cent are pre-hypertensive. The prevalence rises sharply with age for both sexes, with nearly one in four Indians aged 40–49 now hypertensive.
Persistently high blood pressure, if untreated, contributes to artery damage and imposes long-term stress on the heart and other organs, increasing the risk of multiple chronic illnesses.