Hypertension, a Silent Threat

RRI.CO.ID, Semarang - Hypertension is emerging as a growing public health concern in Indonesia, with health authorities warning that the condition can develop silently while increasing the risk of serious and potentially fatal diseases. The concern is compounded by rising obesity, which is closely linked to high blood pressure and other noncommunicable diseases.

In Central Java, the Provincial Health Office has urged the public to increase physical activity and adopt healthier lifestyles to prevent hypertension and obesity. Heri Purnomo, Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division at the Central Java Health Office, made the statement on June 11, 2026.

Heri said hypertension and obesity are increasingly common and are contributing to the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases. The two conditions are also closely connected, with excess body weight increasing the risk of high blood pressure and other chronic illnesses.

“Hypertension mostly does not cause symptoms. Therefore, early detection can be carried out from the beginning,” an internist at Dr. Kariadi General Hospital in Semarang, Andreas Arie Setiawan, said on the same occasion. He emphasized that a healthy lifestyle is the foundation of hypertension control, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, adequate rest, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and managing stress.

He said lifestyle changes can significantly reduce blood pressure. A healthy diet may lower blood pressure by 8 to 14 mmHg, regular exercise for 30 to 45 minutes a day by 4 to 9 mmHg, while losing 10 kilograms of excess weight may reduce blood pressure by 5 to 20 mmHg.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Health Ministry defines hypertension as blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher, measured twice at an interval of five minutes while the individual is sufficiently rested and calm. Although the risk increases with age, the ministry warned that hypertension can also affect younger people, particularly when associated with unhealthy lifestyles, obesity or certain health conditions.

The danger lies in the fact that people may feel healthy even when their blood pressure is already elevated. Over time, uncontrolled hypertension can damage vital organs and increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, kidney disease and vision problems.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide had hypertension in 2024, while about 600 million, or 44 percent, were unaware that they had the condition. In Indonesia, a report in August 2026 shows that one million new hypertension cases were identified among 9.2 million participants who were re-examined through the Free Health Check program.

Due to the findings, the ministry once again stressed that regular screening is essential because hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases can progress without obvious symptoms. According to the ministry, early detection can make a difference, with 1.1 million having succeeded in bringing their blood pressure back into the normal range by consistent treatment and lifestyle changes rather than being treated as a one-time health check.

The Health Ministry also recommends reducing salt and high-fat foods, eating more vegetables and fruit, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep and managing stress. People diagnosed with hypertension should also take prescribed medicines consistently and undergo regular medical monitoring.