The Hidden Signs Of High Blood Pressure — What To Watch Out For

{By Dr. S.K. Mishra}

We often assume that serious illnesses come with obvious warnings—sharp pains, exhaustion, or something visibly wrong. But what if the deadliest conditions don’t shout? They whisper.

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Let's start simple, people have heard the term “high blood pressure” or “BP” thrown around, but they don’t really know what it means. So what exactly is hypertension and why is it such a big deal? At its core, hypertension means the pressure in your blood vessels is consistently higher than it should be — putting extra strain on your heart and other organs over time. It’s mentioned in everyday conversations, health checkups, and sometimes even in ads. But how many of us truly know what it means — and more importantly, why it’s such a big deal?

High blood pressure or hypertension is one of those silent stalkers. In India, nearly 1 in 4 adults has it, yet half don’t even know. The scariest part? It rarely shows clear symptoms, quietly harming your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes—sometimes until it’s too late.

"High blood pressure doesn’t knock—it slips in unnoticed."

The Myth Of "No Symptoms = Safe"

Most people think, "If I’m not dizzy or getting headaches, my BP must be fine." That’s a dangerous assumption. Many only discover they have hypertension after a stroke, heart attack, or kidney damage.

Why Are We Missing the Warning Signs?

While cities are slowly embracing regular health checks, rural and semi-urban areas still struggle with access to affordable BP monitoring. And young adults? Many brush it off as an "old-age problem," ignoring rising cases in people under 40—driven by stress, junk food, inactivity, and poor sleep.

The Subtle, But Serious Clues

Hypertension is called the "silent killer" for a reason—but sometimes, it does leave faint hints:

  • Morning headaches that keep coming back
  • Blurry vision or sudden trouble focusing
  • Unexplained nosebleeds (without any injury)
  • Feeling unusually tired or confused
  • Heart flutters or an irregular pulse
  • Getting winded from simple tasks
  • A constant ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

If these keep happening, get checked—even if you’re young and ‘healthy.’

The Good News? You Can Fight Back

Hypertension isn’t inevitable. Small steps make a huge difference:

  • Check your BP regularly (especially after the age of 30)
  • Cut excess salt
  • Move more, even a 30-minute walk helps
  • Sleep well, stress less
  • Limit smoking and alcohol
  • Take your medication on time

"You don’t need to ‘feel sick’ to get checked. Prevention beats cure every time."

With India battling both hypertension and diabetes as dual epidemics, the need of the hour is awareness, routine screening, and early lifestyle correction. A simple BP check today could save your heart, life, and tomorrow.

Don’t wait for symptoms. Make blood pressure monitoring a routine, even if you feel fine. Because when it comes to hypertension, silence isn’t golden—it’s dangerous.

The author, By Dr. S.K. Mishra, is Professor & HOD, at Cardiology SCB Medical College & Hospital Cuttack

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]

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