In Mumbai even a 25 year old can have high BP

Every year, May 17 is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD), and health experts are hoping to increase awareness about this condition, which until recently, affected only older adults. However, studies say that the trend has changed drastically in the last couple of years.

Hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure recordings remains persistently above 140/90 mm Hg. It is often believed that youngsters are not affected by this.

Senior cardiologist Dr Santosh Kumar Dora says, “Contrary to these assumptions, studies show an alarming rise in the incidence of hypertension among the young. Globally, the prevalence of hypertension in youngsters is almost 10 per cent and this has doubled in just a decade. A 2015 Indian study shows that seven per cent of students aged 18 to 25 have this condition. Almost 35 per cent of students who were obese had hypertension, compared to only seven per cent students whose weight was in the normal range. The prevalence of prehypertension (systolic BP 130 to 139 and diastolic BP 80 to 89 mm Hg) is 45 per cent. This is alarming and of great concern as high blood pressure means higher risk of damage to the heart, kidney, brain and eyes in the coming years.”