Hypertension A Silent Killer Says Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav

New Delhi: “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,” said Mr. Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Ayush & MoS for Health and Family Welfare, GOI, in a special video message during the ‘Illness to Wellness Conference on Transforming Hypertension Care: Prevention to Wellness’ organised in ahead of World Hypertension Day 2026.

Calling hypertension, a “silent killer”, the Minister said that the condition often progresses without visible symptoms and can lead to severe complications such as heart attacks and strokes. He highlighted that the Government of India, under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS), is actively promoting population-based screening, early detection and management through Health and Wellness Centres across the country.

The conference was organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation and brought together leading policymakers, cardiologists, healthcare experts and public health leaders to deliberate on the growing burden of hypertension and the need to move from illness-centric treatment towards wellness-driven healthcare approaches. The conference featured two sessions focused on critical aspects of hypertension management and prevention.

The first session on “Managing Hypertension During Pregnancy. The second session on “Impact of Hypertension on Heart, Brain & Kidney: From Damage to Prevention” focused on the importance of early screening for target organ damage, routine blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle interventions, cognitive risk awareness and the need to move from disease management towards preventive wellness and organ protection.

The conference concluded with a collective call for stronger public awareness, regular screening, healthier lifestyles, early intervention and a people-centric preventive healthcare approach to tackle the growing burden of hypertension and build a healthier India.