Panaji: As hypertension often produces no symptoms, many individuals neglect regular blood pressure checks, unaware of the silent damage high BP can inflict on the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys, according to medical experts. A common and concerning trend is patients discontinuing their BP medication without medical advice.
Real-Life Cases Highlight Dangers
One case involved a 65-year-old man with high blood pressure and cholesterol who stopped taking his BP tablets for a month and subsequently suffered a stroke. Dr. Vinayak Bhat, consultant physician at JMJ and RG Stone Hospital, explained: “He presented with partial paralysis of the right side after developing a clot in the brain. He knew he had BP but stopped his medication due to ignorance.”
Dr. Bhat noted a widespread misconception: “One of the biggest misconceptions is that BP medication causes kidney failure. We see patients reluctant to take BP medication regularly, and over time, when they develop kidney disease, they blame the medication.”
Another case involved a 29-year-old banker who experienced frequent headaches, attributing them to job stress and taking painkillers. Upon visiting a doctor, his BP was found to be 220/110, and he was prescribed medication. After one month, he stopped follow-ups. Six months later, he returned with leg swelling, breathlessness, and appetite loss. Dr. Shital Lengade, consultant nephrologist and transplant physician, said: “His creatinine was high, and his kidneys were 75% damaged. This was all caused by uncontrolled hypertension.” The patient resumed BP medication and followed a proper diet, gradually improving kidney function without dialysis.
Link Between Hypertension and Kidney Disease
Dr. Lengade emphasized that such cases are not isolated. Hypertension and kidney disease are closely linked; hypertension is the second most common cause of kidney disease or failure globally and in India, after diabetes.
Cardiologist Dr. Antonio Rodrigues highlighted that hypertension is a high-risk factor for cardiovascular disease, potentially causing heart attacks and irreversible heart damage. “Most people are asymptomatic while organ damage slowly builds inside,” he said.
Dr. Bhat noted that some hypertensive individuals experience headaches, neck pain, giddiness, shortness of breath, or non-specific chest pain, but these account for only about 40% of patients. “Even if hypertension is detected, many don’t follow up regularly as it doesn’t cause discomfort, leading to complications,” he added.
Prevention and Recommendations
Dr. Lengade attributed rising hypertension in young people to sedentary lifestyles, processed foods, and high-salt diets. Doctors recommend that individuals over 35 and younger people with a family history of hypertension check their BP every six months. Those diagnosed with hypertension should also monitor kidney function regularly.
