Experts Urge Regular Blood Pressure Checks As Hypertension Spreads Among Youths

Medical experts have warned that the burden of systemic hypertension is increasing rapidly worldwide, with a worrying rise now being recorded among Nigerians under the age of 40.

The physicians made this known during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan to mark the 2026 World Hypertension Day celebrated on Sunday with the theme, “Controlling Hypertension Together.”
A Consultant Cardiologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Temilade Adeyanju, said the rise in hypertension cases among younger Nigerians was largely driven by unhealthy lifestyles and poor health-seeking behaviour.
According to her, different global health organisations define hypertension differently. She explained that the Nigerian Cardiac Society, the European Society of Cardiology, and the World Health Organisation classify hypertension as blood pressure above 140/90mmHg, while the American Heart Association and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention classify readings above 130/80mmHg as hypertension.
Adeyanju added that average ambulatory blood pressure readings above 130/80mmHg over a 24-hour period also confirm the condition. She advised individuals to maintain blood pressure below 120/80mmHg.
She described hypertension as a “silent killer” because it often develops without symptoms, leaving many people unaware of their condition until complications arise.
According to her, one in every three to four Nigerian adults is hypertensive, while about eight out of 10 undiagnosed hypertensive patients only present at hospitals after developing serious complications.
Adeyanju noted that unhealthy lifestyles and risky behaviours remain major causes among people under 40, especially those with a family history of hypertension. She listed other risk factors as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, uncontrolled blood pressure, and chronic inflammatory conditions.
She also identified ignorance, lack of awareness, and delayed action as major barriers to prevention and treatment.
The cardiologist warned that uncontrolled hypertension could lead to stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, blindness, sexual dysfunction, and subarachnoid haemorrhage.
She called for increased public awareness, routine blood pressure checks, early detection, and regular screening to reduce the growing threat.
Adeyanju stressed the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, improved advocacy, and affordable treatment options to encourage adherence among patients.
She also urged the Nigerian government to intensify efforts toward implementing healthcare policies that support hypertension prevention and management across all healthcare levels.
According to her, more funding should be allocated for local research, data collection, and partnerships involving the Nigeria Hypertension Society, WHO, the Nigerian Cardiac Society, NGOs, and individuals.
She advised Nigerians to regularly monitor their blood pressure, stressing that early detection could save lives.
Also speaking, a Public Health Physician at UCH, Dr. Ifeoluwa Odedina, warned that many adults were living with hypertension unknowingly.
He encouraged Nigerians to make blood pressure checks a regular habit and referenced a 2025 study by Ibitoye et al. conducted in Ibadan, which revealed that about 10.2 per cent of adults had undiagnosed hypertension.
Odedina stated that hypertension screening at the primary healthcare level remained simple and effective, requiring only basic tools like manual blood pressure machines, which nurses and community health workers could easily use.
However, he explained that many people fail to get tested because hypertension often shows no symptoms until complications occur.
He identified excessive salt intake, stress, and alcohol consumption as major contributors to high blood pressure, particularly among Black populations.
The physician added that health insurance could improve blood pressure control by helping patients afford medications and necessary medical tests.
Odedina advised adults to check their blood pressure at least twice yearly and encouraged those already diagnosed with hypertension to adhere strictly to medications and clinic appointments to avoid complications such as stroke and sudden death.
He further urged Nigerians to reduce salt intake, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, and stay away from stressful lifestyles.