New Delhi: Hypertension prevalence in India is high, but only 45 per cent of people are aware of their diagnosis, according to a first large scale population based study of hypertension care in India.
Researchers have used National Health and Family Survey (NFHS-4, 2015-16) data of 731864 individuals aged 15-49 years, which covered each district of 29 states and 7 union territories of India.
The study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that 3 out of 4 individuals with hypertension ever had their blood pressure measured, less than half of individuals (45 per cent) had been diagnosed, 13 per cent reported currently taking hypertensive medication, while 8 per cent had their blood pressure under control.
The study was carried out by researchers at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, the University of Birmingham and the University of Gottingen.
The study also found adults living in rural areas, men, and those who were poorer, were even less likely to receive the care they need.
Only 5.3 per cent of hypertensive men and 10.9 per cent of hypertensive women aged 15-49 years have their blood pressure under control (i.e., they are taking medications and have a normal blood pressure), it stated.
There is huge state-level variation in hypertension screening. Screening of hypertensive individuals was lowest in Madhya Pradesh (61.3 per cent) and highest in Haryana (93.5 per cent).
More than half of Indians aged 15-49 years with hypertension are not aware of their hypertension status.
Awareness level was lowest in Chhattisgarh (22.1 per cent) and highest in Puducherry (80.5 per cent).
27 major states/union territories have blood pressure control rates below 10 per cent. Daman and Diu was the highest, but still only 1 in 5 adults there are under control.
The study highlighted the urgent need of improvements in hypertension awareness, care and control for all Indians specially amongst the most productive years (15-49 years).
Dr Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Vice President, Research and Policy, at PHFI and one of the authors of the study, said detection of hypertension is straightforward, treatments are simple yet effective, and hence hypertension can be easily controlled.
"Control of hypertension prevents future stroke, heart attacks and deaths. However, it is an unfortunate paradox that India does not perform well in any of the measures of detection, treatment and control. I believe the new National Health Mission through the health and wellness clinics has the potential to address the issue," he said.
Dr Lindsay Jaacks, faculty at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and visiting faculty at PHFI said, "This is not just an assessment of health systems. We need demand-side interventions to raise awareness in India that hypertension is relatively easy and cheap to treat, and that keeping it under control can have huge benefits in terms of preventing heart attacks and stroke.
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Several users on ‘X’ on Thursday and Friday shared claims that LPG cylinders booked at 11:45 AM were being delivered within just two hours, prompting humorous and curious reactions online.
Booked an Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Shashi Kumar (@iShashiShekhar) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
Meanwhile netizens quickly responded to the sudden similar bookings by many users.
One ‘X’ user tweeted, “Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11:45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1:30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges. I asked the delivery guy if there was any shortage. His reply was negative. This copy is circulating 👇.”
Booked a Bharat Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 1.30 PM. Without any extra cash or charges.
— Govind Pratap Singh | GPS (@govindprataps12) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. His reply was in negative.
ये वाली कॉपी घूम रही है 👇 pic.twitter.com/DG7KkxuQxw
Another user questioned the timing, asking, “How can all book at the same time?” while a separate post wondered, “Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM?”
Why is everyone booking LPG at 11:45 AM ? #Lol
— Paritosh Vyas 🇮🇳 (@paritosh2608) March 13, 2026
Many netizens joked about the posts. One wrote, “Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinders at 11:45 AM, and surprisingly it’s getting delivered in two hours. IT cell has some special gas agency. Is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?”
Everyone is booking LPG gas cylinder at 11.45 am and surprisingly it getting delivered in 2 hours.
— Prashant Kanojia (@KanojiaPJ) March 13, 2026
IT cell has some special gas agency.
is it LPG or Naale ka Gas?
pic.twitter.com/2T3NI3qjtk
One urged, “Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too,” sharing a photo of people standing in ques.
Please tell these hundreds of people to book at 11:45 AM too https://t.co/BUekztabvK pic.twitter.com/lRknSuQreI
— URScrewed 🇬🇧 (@URScrewed_) March 13, 2026
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11.45 AM today and it was delivered at my doorstep by 2 30 pm without any extra cash or charges.
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) March 12, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, is there any shortage. He replied Nope.
Then I woke up.
“Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM. I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM,” wrote another.
Booked an Indane Gas LPG cylinder at 11:46 AM today and it wasnt delivered at my doorstep by 2:30 PM.
— Essai Ennai (@SiniiMayo) March 13, 2026
I asked the delivery guy, why didn't he deliver. He replied cylinders were delivered only to people who booked exactly at 11:45 AM.
One user asked, “What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM?” while another tweeted, “I am going to book a gas cylinder at 11:45 AM tomorrow, hope Modi Ji will deliver it by 1:30.”
What was the auspicious occasion to book at 11:45 AM? pic.twitter.com/jZqEzNdCGo
— SMMH-SAB MOH MAYA HAI (@EliteCricket10) March 13, 2026
“I want to ask one thing… If I book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11:45 AM and the gas agency is unable to deliver it by 1:30 PM, will it be free like Domino’s pizza, or will I get it at some discounted price? BJP IT Cell experts, please confirm so that I can book my LPG cylinder tomorrow exactly at 11:45 AM,” said another humorously.
I want to ask one thing if...
— शाकाल (@real_shakaal) March 13, 2026
"I'll Book an LPG cylinder tomorrow at 11.45 AM and if Gas Agency will unable to deliver the LPG Cylinder at my doorstep by 1.30 PM tomorrow".
Will it be free like Dominos Pizza or i'll get it on some discounted price?
BJP IT Cell experts please… pic.twitter.com/UEBoBwVNNw
