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Hypertension prevalence across Indian states and union territories

UID: HW-20240129-IN-03

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Meta Data

Source

National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21

Last Updated

January 29, 2025

Time Range

2019-21

Periodicity

Annual

Overview

Hypertension-1, also known as Stage 1 Hypertension, is a condition where blood pressure consistently ranges between 130-139 mmHg systolic or 80-89 mmHg diastolic. It is an early stage of high blood pressure and a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications. Common causes include stress, obesity, high salt intake, lack of exercise, smoking, and genetic predisposition. While it may not cause noticeable symptoms, prolonged hypertension can damage blood vessels and organs over time. Management typically involves lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, stress reduction, and, in some cases, medication. Early detection and control are crucial to prevent progression to Stage 2 Hypertension or severe complications. Regular monitoring and medical guidance are recommended for maintaining optimal blood pressure levels.

Trends & Insights

At the national level, men reported a higher prevalence of hypertension at 24.0% compared to women at 21.3%, establishing a baseline for understanding the broader health landscape across the country. The northeastern state of Sikkim emerged as a region of particular concern, recording the highest prevalence rates nationwide, with 41.6% among men and 34.5% among women. This stark elevation in rates compared to other states raises important questions about the environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors that might be contributing to such high prevalence in this mountainous region. The significant difference in hypertension prevalence between males and females in Sikkim also indicates gender-specific risk factors that warrant further investigation. Punjab presents another noteworthy case, where both genders showed remarkably high rates of hypertension. Men in Punjab reported the second-highest prevalence at 37.7%, while women reported a rate of 31.2%. The relatively smaller gender gap in Punjab, compared to some other states, suggests that certain risk factors associated with hypertension are uniformly distributed across the population. Telangana recorded high prevalence rates among southern states for both genders but with different patterns – men at 31.4% and women at 26.1%. Similarly, Kerala demonstrated high rates, with men at 32.8% and women at 30.9%, showing one of the smaller gender gaps among states with high prevalence. This pattern in Kerala correlates with its higher health awareness and better healthcare access, leading to more comprehensive diagnosis and reporting.  Some states have shown notably lower prevalence rates for both genders. For example, in Rajasthan and Bihar, 17.9% and 18.4% of men and 15.3% and 15.9% of women, respectively, reported having hypertension. Delhi, being primarily urban, showed high rates of hypertension prevalence for both men (32.8%) and women (24.1%), suggesting that urban lifestyle factors play a significant role in hypertension prevalence. This urban influence on hypertension rates is an important consideration for public health planning, especially given India’s rapid urbanization. The consistent gender disparity across most of the Indian states, with men generally showing higher prevalence, suggests the need for gender-specific approaches to prevention and treatment. Additionally, the significant regional variations indicate that one-size-fits-all approaches to hypertension management might not be effective, and interventions might need to be tailored to specific regional contexts and population characteristics.

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Citation

Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.

National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), 2019-21. (2025b). Hypertension prevalence across Indian states and union territories (360 Analytika, Ed.) [Dataset]. https://360analytika.com/hypertension-prevalence-across-indian-states-and-union-territories/

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