Demanding work cultures marked by long hours, high stress, irregular sleep, skipped meals, poor diet, and little time for physical activity are quietly pushing a growing number of Indians, especially young professionals, into the danger zone of hypertension.

“What is alarming here is that many are unaware they’re at risk,” says Dr A Sreenivas Kumar, Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. He notes a worrying trend: more adults in their 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with high blood pressure—something that was rare just a decade ago.

A Growing Public Health Concern

The rise in hypertension isn’t unique to India—it's a global trend. However, India’s burgeoning Information Technology and IT-enabled Services (IT/ITES) sector appears to be particularly affected. Recent studies show that 31% of professionals in this sector have hypertension, while 45.7% fall under the pre-hypertension category.

The numbers are especially stark among young adults. Stage-1 hypertension affects 18% of individuals aged 19–25 and 23% of those aged 26–30, while Stage-2 hypertension affects 5% and 3% in those same groups, respectively. These figures indicate that hypertension is hitting young urban Indians nearly a decade earlier than previously observed.

Research also highlights a clear link between workplace autonomy, environment, and hypertension, pointing to deeper, possibly hormonal, causes that merit further study.

Workplace Culture as a Catalyst—and a Cure

Forward-thinking organisations are taking this seriously. “The well-being of our associates is a key reflection of the overall health of our company,” says Vybahava Srinivasan, Managing Director, Availity India. “To reduce high-pressure environments while maintaining productivity, we actively encourage associates to prioritise their physical and mental health.”

Availity’s approach combines flexible, outcome-focused work schedules with a supportive and collaborative ecosystem. Employees are encouraged to focus on results rather than hours, backed by regular check-ins, shared team goals, and streamlined workflows through automation.

The company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) extends mental health and counseling services to both associates and their families. Other initiatives include mindfulness training, stress management workshops, and leadership development programs aimed at fostering empathetic, observant managers.

“Our culture is designed to build happy, resilient teams. Many of our policies have been redefined around these principles,” Srinivasan adds.

Structure with Flexibility

Chris George, Co-Founder & CEO of QubeHealth-Pay, believes that rethinking work structures is key. “Companies must establish clear start and end times for the workday,” he says. “This isn’t just about productivity—it’s about protecting personal time and preventing burnout.”

He advocates a shift from a time-tracked model to an outcome-based one, where autonomy is paired with accountability. “When an organisation gives you independence, it’s not a license for complacency—it’s a call for responsibility,” George says. “Productivity doesn’t thrive under pressure, but within systems built on clarity, discipline, and mutual trust.”

Small Changes, Lifesaving Impact

Dr. Kumar urges young professionals to take hypertension seriously—even in the absence of symptoms. “Hypertension usually has no apparent signs, but over time, it can damage your heart, kidneys, and blood vessels,” he warns.

He advises monitoring blood pressure regularly, adopting small lifestyle changes to manage stress, and never skipping preventive checkups. “It doesn’t take much time, but it could save your life.”