By TRH Health Desk
Hypertension is silently killing nearly 16 lakh Indians every year, according to AIIMS cardiologist Dr. Ambuj Roy. Experts warn that millions remain undiagnosed as high blood pressure continues to fuel heart disease and strokes across India.
New Delhi, May 29, 2026 — Hypertension has emerged as one of India’s deadliest but most ignored public health crises, with nearly 16 lakh people dying every year due to high blood pressure-related complications, according to leading cardiologist Dr. Ambuj Roy of All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Roy described hypertension as a “silent but deadly disease” that contributes to far more deaths annually than several communicable diseases combined, including tuberculosis, malaria, dengue and HIV.
“Hypertension is the single most common and most frequent cause of deaths in India. Almost 1.6 million people lose their lives due to hypertension every year,” he said.
He pointed out that despite its enormous health burden, hypertension often does not receive the same public attention as infectious diseases because its impact is usually indirect and develops gradually through complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and heart failure.
“Most of the time it is a silent disease. It does not manifest with symptoms, which is why many people remain unaware that they are living with high blood pressure,” Dr. Roy said.
According to data cited by him from nationwide studies conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research and other health agencies, nearly 30 crore Indians are currently living with hypertension.
Medical experts say rising urbanisation, unhealthy diets, stress, obesity, lack of physical activity and increasing tobacco and alcohol consumption are contributing significantly to the growing burden of high blood pressure across India.
Doctors have repeatedly warned that untreated hypertension substantially raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases, which remain the leading cause of mortality in the country.
Public health researchers also emphasise that early diagnosis and lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce the risk associated with hypertension. Regular blood pressure monitoring, reduced salt intake, exercise, healthy eating habits and timely medication remain the key tools for prevention and control.
Health experts are now urging governments and healthcare institutions to strengthen awareness campaigns and screening programmes, especially in rural and semi-urban regions where diagnosis rates remain low.
The warning from AIIMS comes amid increasing concern among medical professionals that India may face an even larger cardiovascular disease burden in the coming decade unless hypertension detection and treatment improve significantly.
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