Every fourth adult in Karnataka is hypertensive, as per NFHS, says Health Minister

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a significant health concern in Karnataka, with the NFHS-5 report indicating a prevalence of around 25% for women and 26.9% for men in the above-15 age group, higher than the national average, said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday.

‘Silent epidemic’

The Minister, who inaugurated a sensitisation workshop on hypertension and other non-communicable diseases, said hypertension is a silent epidemic and if left unchecked, it leads to strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, and premature deaths. 

“NFHS-5 findings show that every fourth adult in Karnataka is hypertensive. This means lakhs of people in our State are living at high risk of chronic illness and sudden medical emergencies, often without being aware of it. The economic burden is also significant - rising hospitalisations, loss of productivity, and financial strain on families,” the Minister said.

Stating that it calls for urgent collective action - early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and reliable treatment services, the Health Minister said, “Our government is committed to expanding screening, ensuring medicines at every Health and Wellness Centre, and driving community awareness campaigns.”

He said the community-level screening under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) will be expanded. “Lifestyle interventions such as diet, exercise, and reduced salt intake will be promoted through awareness campaigns. Besides, we will ensure the availability of essential medicines and diagnostics for hypertension management at all Health and Wellness Centres,” he said.

In childhood

Oncologist U.S. Vishal Rao, who spoke on childhood hypertension, said no State government is screening children for hypertension in schools. “Studies show a rising trend of hypertension in children, in both urban and rural areas. Factors such as obesity, consumption of oily and junk food, lack of awareness about disease status and sedentary lifestyle contribute to the high burden,” he added.