Medical experts say the absence of noticeable symptoms, along with busy work schedules and limited health screenings, is leaving many residents unaware that they have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is widely known as a “silent killer”, but UAE doctors are warning that it can also cause gradual kidney damage without noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
Healthcare experts across the UAE are urging residents to undergo regular blood pressure monitoring and kidney screenings, cautioning that delayed detection may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, kidney failure and other serious health complications.
According to the World Health Organization, around 600 million adults worldwide — about 44% of people with hypertension — are unaware that they have the condition.
Doctors say the issue is particularly relevant in the UAE, where many hypertension cases are discovered only during routine health screenings or after complications have already emerged.
Dr Abdul Jabbar, Consultant Internal Medicine – Endocrinology at Medcare Al Safa, explained that prolonged high blood pressure can gradually damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and excess fluids from the body.
“When blood pressure remains elevated for a long period, these delicate vessels can become damaged, reducing the kidneys’ ability to function effectively. Over time, this can progress to chronic kidney disease and, in severe cases, kidney failure,” he said.
He added that one of the biggest challenges is that both hypertension and early-stage kidney disease often develop without clear warning signs.
“Many people feel completely healthy and may not notice any symptoms until significant damage has already taken place,” he said.
Awareness and diagnosis gaps
Medical experts say the absence of symptoms, combined with demanding lifestyles and limited screening, means many residents may be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure.
Dr Ganesh Dhanuka, specialist in internal medicine and nephrology at International Modern Hospital Dubai, highlighted the scale of the issue through global and UAE data.
“The latest World Health Organization estimate shows that around 600 million adults — about 44% of people with hypertension worldwide — are unaware that they have the condition,” he said.
He added that UAE data also points to significant gaps in awareness and prevention.
“The UAE National Health Survey found that 28.8% of adults had elevated blood pressure or were taking medication for hypertension,” Dr Dhanuka said.
While studies differ in their populations and time periods, he said they consistently indicate that undiagnosed and poorly controlled hypertension remains a major public health concern.
Dr Jabbar noted that hypertension is not limited to older adults. Younger people can also develop the condition, particularly those with risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, smoking, chronic stress or a family history of cardiovascular disease.
Regular screening can prevent complications
Doctors say many patients discover they have high blood pressure only through routine medical examinations, highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare.
Dr Azeem Ahamed, specialist nephrologist at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai, said healthcare providers regularly see cases where hypertension is identified late.
“In clinical practice, we continue to encounter patients whose hypertension is detected only during routine health checks or after complications have already developed,” he said.
He added that the lack of symptoms often causes people to overlook the importance of regular monitoring.
“Busy lifestyles, irregular health screenings and the absence of symptoms can lead people to underestimate the need to check their blood pressure,” Dr Ahamed said.
Doctors recommend regular blood pressure monitoring for adults aged 40 and above. Younger individuals with conditions such as diabetes, obesity, a family history of hypertension or kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or those who smoke should also undergo periodic checks.
For people diagnosed with hypertension, specialists recommend annual kidney assessments, including tests for serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin levels.
Warning signs such as persistently high blood pressure, swelling in the feet, foamy urine, blood in urine or declining kidney function should be assessed by a doctor. However, specialists stress that early kidney disease often has no symptoms.
Dr Ahamed said early detection remains one of the most effective ways to prevent irreversible kidney damage.
“A simple blood pressure check and kidney assessment today can help prevent future complications. Early detection allows us to protect kidney function before permanent damage occurs,” he said.
