New Delhi: India is witnessing what can be described as a silent health epidemic, with an increasing number of people needing regular monitoring of their blood pressure and blood sugar levels. According to Dr Yogesh Chhabra, Director and Unit Head-Nephrology at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, almost 8 out of 10 Indians have either hypertension, diabetes or prediabetes. However, many people may remain unaware that they have these conditions because they do not always show visible symptoms.
The growing concern is that these health conditions can develop gradually without immediately affecting a person’s day-to-day life. This can make regular screening important, particularly among people who may already be at a higher risk because of their age, family history, weight or lifestyle.
Unhealthy lifestyles increasing the risk
Several lifestyle factors have contributed to the development of hypertension, diabetes and prediabetes among the population. Lack of exercise, unhealthy eating habits, increasing obesity, chronic stress and inadequate sleep are among the factors linked to these conditions. Smoking and drinking have also played roles in making the health risk rise.
Due to the lack of symptoms, high blood pressure and high blood sugar are hard to detect without constant monitoring. Even if there are no changes in one’s well-being at first, these diseases can later on do great harm to vital organs and vessels.
Both high blood pressure and high blood sugar can eventually affect the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes. If these diseases are not treated, they can result in a heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and vision loss.
Young adults are also at risk
The concern is also extending to younger adults. It has been found that many young adults have been suffering from high blood pressure and high blood sugar, owing to modern work habits and lifestyle patterns.
This makes the issue more concerning because the conditions may remain unnoticed when there are no visible symptoms. Regular monitoring can therefore play an important role in identifying these problems at an earlier stage.
Who should consider regular screening?
Screening plays a vital role in early detection and prevention. Periodic blood pressure and blood sugar screening needs to be considered among adults over 30, people with a family history of diabetes or high blood pressure, overweight people and those following unhealthy lifestyles.
An early diagnosis can provide an opportunity to make necessary lifestyle changes. These include following a proper diet, exercising, maintaining proper body weight and managing stress.
It is possible to identify such ailments through self-accountability towards one’s health and regular tests even if there are no symptoms. Proper diagnosis and subsequent management will reduce complications and enhance one’s quality of life.
Management of such diseases through regular testing will be helpful in lowering the burden of non-communicable diseases that are currently growing. Hypertension, diabetes, and prediabetes have become an increasing issue; therefore, checking one’s blood pressure and blood sugar will be very helpful.
