The Deadly Duo of Hypertension and Diabetes in India: Further Affirmation from a New Epidemiological Study

Hypertension is highly prevalent in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. India has some of the highest rates of diabetes and hypertension worldwide, but there is a lack of local data on the coexistence of these two risk factors. This study determined the prevalence of hypertension in patients with, or at high risk of, type II diabetes mellitus from across India.

Data came from a nationwide trial evaluating the effects of yoga-based lifestyle modification for the prevention/management of type II diabetes. Participants were recruited based on randomized house-to-house screening in urban and rural areas from 65 districts of 29 states/union territories. Eligible individuals were aged 20-80 years and had diabetes or were at high risk of diabetes (IDRS ≥ 60). Anthropometric and demographic data were obtained, and resting blood pressure and blood glucose levels were recorded.

This analysis included data from 14,135 individuals. Of these, 25% had self-reported diabetes, 19% were diagnosed with diabetes during the trial, and 26.8% were at high risk for type II diabetes. In these three patient groups, hypertension prevalence rates were 58%, 41.0%, and 35.8%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was highest in the North East region and lowest in the North West.

The high prevalence of hypertension in patients with, or at risk of diabetes, highlights the urgent need for policies to manage this population, who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease and death.