"Hypertension killing people"

         Changing social norms on smoking and drinking and a fast-food dominated lifestyle are causing a growing number of young people to fall prey to hypertension and a host of other diseases, doctors warn. The disease is now striking at an earlier age, and even those in their 20s and 30s are affected.

          Earlier, it was usually people in their 40s and 50s who reported hypertension. These days, I have at least three or four patients every week in their 20s and 30s with the problem. There has been a 10 to 20 percent rise in such cases over the last few years. The incidence of coronary heart disease and heart attack among people in their 30s -something unheard of earlier - is also becoming frequent. one in three adults worldwide suffer from hypertension, a condition that causes half the deaths by stroke and heart disease.

           Nearly 1.5 million people die every year in south-east Asia due to high blood pressure. High blood pressure or hypertension is the leading risk factor for deaths claiming 1.5 million lives each year. One in three adults has high blood pressure. Males have a slightly higher prevalence of high blood pressure than females in almost all countries. India is not safe from this crisis. Lack of adequate physical exercise and leisure activities centred around television, computers, improved transportation facilities and mechanisation of jobs has contributed to high blood pressure at a very young age. The WHO is assisting countries to develop national action plans and set national targets to track progress in preventing and controlling such diseases, including hypertension, and their key risk factors.

           Changing social norms on drinking and smoking has definitely increased the risk of hypertension in youngsters. Regular drinking beyond a certain amount and even a small amount of tobacco could prove harmful. Also, diet plays a big role. Extra salt can increase blood pressure. Doctors say that hypertension can lead to a host of illnesses, including damaged organs, kidney failure, aneurysm (blood-filled bulge in the wall of a blood vessel), stroke and heart attack. 

        Stress is another cause of hypertension. In a schedule of 12-14 working hours, one has to find ways to de-stress, and exercise at some point of the day to reduce health risks. And if you are one of those who pop the pain killer for every small headache, beware! Doctors say that over-the-counter self medication can affect the kidneys in the long run - and in turn, make you hypertensive. Another thing to keep in mind is that it is not necessary that you will get headaches and have swollen feet if you are hypertensive. Many times, people find out about the condition only incidentally. It's a silent killer. I would advise all youngsters, even in their 20s, to go for regular check-ups, especially if there is hypertension in the family.