- Hypertension continues to pose a major health risk because it often develops without symptoms but can trigger stroke, kidney failure and heart disease.
- A UNS Hospital internist said hypertension is diagnosed at 140/90 mmHg or higher, with risks shaped by age, sex, genetics and lifestyle factors such as high salt intake, inactivity, smoking, alcohol, stress and poor sleep.
- Prevention and control rely on consistent healthy habits, including limiting salt to 5 grams per day, exercising regularly, managing stress, sleeping 7–9 hours and following medical advice, including medication and home monitoring.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, remains a serious threat to public health. Often dubbed the “silent killer,” the condition frequently develops without noticeable symptoms, yet it can lead to severe complications such as stroke, kidney failure and coronary heart disease if left unmanaged.
An internist at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Hospital, Dr. Evi Liliek Wulandari, said hypertension is a chronic health disorder marked by elevated pressure on arterial walls beyond normal limits. “Blood pressure is measured using two numbers: systolic pressure when the heart contracts and diastolic pressure when the heart relaxes. Based on WHO standards, a person is considered hypertensive when systolic pressure reaches or exceeds 140140 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure 9090 mmHg,” Evi said in a written statement, as quoted on Thursday (Jan. 22, 2026).
The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded that in 2023, about 33 percent of the global population lived with hypertension, with the highest concentration of cases found in developing countries. Evi noted that high blood pressure results from a combination of interrelated factors. Some are permanent and cannot be modified, such as age, sex and genetic predisposition. The risk of hypertension rises with age, typically after men reach 45 and women 55.
People with a family history of hypertension face a higher likelihood of developing the condition. Sex also plays a role: men tend to be more vulnerable at a younger age, while women’s risk increases later in life.
Most controllable factors are tied to lifestyle. Insufficient physical activity can contribute to weight gain and obesity, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. Excessive salt intake increases sodium levels in the body, raising blood volume and, in turn, blood pressure.
“Smoking and alcohol consumption also contribute because they can damage blood vessels and cause narrowing that restricts blood flow. Prolonged stress and lack of sleep also play a part in increasing blood pressure through the release of certain hormones,” Evi said.
To prevent and control hypertension, Evi stressed the importance of consistently adopting a healthy lifestyle. She recommended a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat protein, while limiting cholesterol and salt.
Salt intake, she added, should be kept below 55 grams — roughly one teaspoon — per day. Supportive nutrients such as potassium found in bananas and avocados, as well as magnesium from leafy greens, may help blood vessels relax.
Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, can strengthen the heart muscle and help stabilize blood pressure. Stress management and sleep quality are also important, with adults generally needing about 77 to 99 hours of sleep each night.
For people already diagnosed with hypertension, lifestyle changes should be accompanied by routine medical consultations, adherence to prescribed medication and self-monitoring of blood pressure at home. “Although hypertension is a serious condition, it is highly preventable and manageable through understanding the risks and maintaining disciplined healthy habits, so that future complications can be avoided,” Evi said.
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