The burden of systemic hypertension is rising sharply globally, with an increase being seen among young Nigerian adults under 40, physicians have warned.

The experts gave the warning in an interview with journalists in Ibadan in commemoration of World Hypertension Day on Sunday.

The World Hypertension Day is commemorated annually on May 17, with the 2026 theme being “Controlling Hypertension Together”.

Temilade Adeyanju, a consultant cardiologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, alerted that the burden of systemic hypertension was rising sharply globally.

Ms Adeyanju said the rise, which is also being seen among young Nigerian adults under 40, is driven mainly by unhealthy lifestyles and poor health-seeking behaviour.

She also explained that global bodies defined hypertension differently.

According to her, the Nigerian Cardiac Society, European Society of Cardiology, and World Health Organisation set it at blood pressure above 140/90mmHg.

“The American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classify blood pressure above 130/80mmHg as hypertension,” she said.

She added that average ambulatory readings above 130/80mmHg over 24 hours also confirm the condition.

She advised people to keep their blood pressure below 120/80mmHg.

“The condition often develops silently with no noticeable symptoms, causing deadly complications.

“Most times affected individuals are unaware they are hypertensive, thus present with complications, which leads to preventable morbidity and mortality,” she said.

According to her, hypertension is “a silent killer”, while one in every three to four Nigerian adults is hypertensive.

Ms Adeyanju added that about eight out of 10 undiagnosed hypertensives were seen in hospital emergency units already with complications.

She emphasised that for those under the age of 40 years, unhealthy lifestyles and risky behaviours were the main risk drivers, especially with a positive family history.

Other factors that doubled the risk, she said, included dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, uncontrolled blood pressure, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

“Ignorance, lack of awareness, and inertia to act remain major barriers.

“Hypertension is preventable and manageable, even when due to secondary causes. Prevention remains the least costly form of management.

“Out-of-pocket healthcare costs and poor adherence also hinder good blood pressure control.

“Uncontrolled hypertension leads to stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and chronic kidney disease.

“It can also cause subarachnoid haemorrhage, sexual dysfunction, and blindness,” she said.

The cardiologist urged stronger public education on early detection, routine checks, and regular screening.

“Create awareness and join efforts together to reduce the menace of the silent killer in families, society and the world,” she said.

She stressed that joint efforts by all stakeholders could prevent and control the condition.

She further remarked that consistent advocacy was needed to address risk factors and ensure cost-effective treatment that improves adherence.

“Regular follow-ups and good health-seeking behaviour are equally important,” she added.

She called on the Nigerian government not to relent in efforts to implement policies that deliver effective strategies across all levels of healthcare.

“More funding for local data collection, research, and collaboration with the Nigeria Hypertension Society, WHO, Nigeria Cardiac Society, NGOs, and individuals is needed.

“For Nigerians, know your numbers. Do your blood pressure checks routinely; it saves you from the silent killer,” she said.

Also, a public health physician at UCH, Ifeoluwa Odedina, warned that a significant number of adults in the city were living with hypertension without knowing it.

Mr Odedina urged Nigerians to make blood pressure checks a routine habit.

He cited a 2025 study by Ibitoye et al., conducted in Ibadan, which found that about 10.2 per cent of adults had undiagnosed hypertension.

Speaking on the effectiveness of screening at the primary health care level, Odedina said the process was simple and practical.

“Screening for hypertension at the primary level is very effective.

“It requires only simple tools like a manual blood pressure machine, and most nurses or community health extension workers can be trained on how to use one,” he said.

However, he noted that uptake remained low because the condition often shows no symptoms in its early stages.

“It is underutilised because people have low motivation to get themselves checked, as hypertension usually does not have any symptoms until it becomes complicated,” he said.

On lifestyle factors, the physician identified high salt intake, stress, and alcohol consumption as major contributors to raised blood pressure in his patient population.

According to him, high salt intake has been found to contribute to raised blood pressure, especially in black people.

He explained that living a stressful lifestyle and drinking alcohol were also important factors that make people more vulnerable to developing hypertension.

Mr Odedina also highlighted the impact of health insurance on blood pressure control.

According to him, enrolling in a health insurance scheme makes it easier for patients to access care and stay consistent with treatment.

“Being under health insurance helps people to afford their antihypertensive medications and the tests they need for proper monitoring and management, so it is of great advantage,” he said.

For Nigerians looking to assess their risk, he gave a clear call to action.

“Every adult should ensure that they get their blood pressure checked at least twice a year.

“If you do not know your status, ensure that you get your blood pressure measured.

“Make a note in your calendar to recheck every six months (maybe at the beginning and middle of the year for easy remembrance),” he said.

For those already diagnosed, he stressed adherence to treatment and follow-up to avoid life-threatening complications.

“If you have hypertension already, ensure you keep up your regular clinic visits and take your medications to prevent complications like stroke and sudden death.

“It is also important for everyone to eat less salt, exercise, cut smoking and alcohol intake as much as possible, and avoid living a stressful lifestyle,” Mr Odedina said. 

(NAN)