Doctors warn of rising hypertension cases among young Nigerians

Doctors have warned of rising hypertension cases among young Nigerians, blaming unhealthy diets, economic pressures and inadequate sleep. 

Doctors have raised the alarm over rising cases of hypertension among young Nigerians, Leadership reported. A former chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kaduna State chapter, Dr Sheyin David Madaki, cited a 22-year-old patient whose blood pressure reading, above 170, remained high on repeated measurements. Madaki said the condition, once regarded largely as affecting middle-aged and elderly people, was increasingly being diagnosed among younger people. He blamed excessive consumption of salt, fast foods and processed meals, as well as economic hardship and inadequate sleep.

“Somebody will come and say, ‘I’m young. Why should I be having high blood pressure?’ But times have changed. Environments have changed. Lifestyle has changed,” he said. Madaki warned that undetected and uncontrolled hypertension could lead to stroke, heart failure, kidney damage, visual impairment and sudden death. He cautioned patients against stopping prescribed medication because readings had returned to normal. A doctor at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, who pleaded anonymity, expressed concern over rising cases.