Amid growing concern over the rising burden of hypertension among younger Indians, healthcare leaders, policymakers and medical experts called for urgent preventive action, stronger awareness campaigns and lifestyle-led healthcare interventions at the ‘Illness to Wellness Conference on Transforming Hypertension Care: Prevention to Wellness’, organised by Illness to Wellness Foundation ahead of World Hypertension Day 2026.

In a special video address, Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush & MoS for Health and Family Welfare, warned that hypertension is increasingly affecting younger populations due to changing lifestyles, rising stress levels and declining focus on physical and mental well-being.

“In today’s time, it is essential that we make our communities more sensitive and aware, and strengthen awareness about hypertension. Due to changing lifestyles and reduced attention to physical and mental health, hypertension is rapidly increasing even among the youth,” he said.

Calling hypertension a “silent killer,” the Union Minister noted that the disease often progresses without visible symptoms before leading to severe complications such as heart attacks and strokes. He added that the Government of India is strengthening population-based screening and early diagnosis efforts through the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS) and Health and Wellness Centres across the country.

The conference brought together cardiologists, public health experts and healthcare policymakers to deliberate on the rising incidence of hypertension and the need to move from illness-centric treatment models toward preventive and wellness-focused healthcare systems.

Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India & Chairperson, Governing Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, “The problem of hypertension is as prevalent in rural India as it is in urban India, but because we live in metro cities, we often believe it is only an urban problem. Early detection is extremely important because without early detection, early treatment becomes difficult. At the same time, non-communicable diseases impact GDP significantly across countries, and therefore prevention and timely intervention are critical.”

Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, “Modern lifestyles marked by long working hours, constant connectivity, poor sleep, sedentary habits and rising stress are significantly contributing to the growing burden of hypertension and lifestyle disorders. Another emerging concern is the growing anxiety surrounding Artificial Intelligence. Across the world, many employees increasingly fear that AI may replace jobs or reduce human relevance in the workplace.

Dr. Ripen Gupta, Vice Chairman & Unit Head - Cardiology, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, said, “Hypertension is one of the biggest public health challenges today because most people do not take it seriously until complications arise. Nearly one in four adults is affected by hypertension, yet awareness and blood pressure control remain very low. Annual BP screening, aerobic exercise, resistance training, reduced desk time, proper sleep, yoga and meditation are critical lifestyle interventions for prevention and management.”

Prof. Rakesh Yadav, Cardiologist and Head - Department of Emergency Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, said, “The biggest problem is that despite increasing awareness, people still do not monitor their blood pressure regularly or continue treatment consistently. Hypertension is no longer limited to the affluent or elderly; it is now affecting all sections of society, including children and young adults. Obesity remains one of the major underlying causes, and regular monitoring of blood pressure and sugar levels, affordable lifelong medication, healthy dietary practices and weight management are essential to reducing mortality associated with hypertension and related diseases.”

Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Chairperson, FICCI Medical Education Task Force and Medical Director, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, said that hypertension should never be taken lightly and people must follow medical advice seriously to avoid long-term complications. He also underlined the importance of monitoring BMI, waist circumference and other lifestyle indicators as part of preventive healthcare.