Why young Nigerians must monitor blood pressure

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is often perceived as a condition affecting older adults. But evidence from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and research in Nigeria shows that this assumption is dangerously outdated. As the silent killer spreads across all age groups, including young adults, regular blood pressure monitoring has never been more important.

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood against artery walls remains persistently high—defined clinically as a systolic reading of 140 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic reading of 90 mmHg or higher. It significantly raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, heart failure and premature death. The only way to know one’s blood pressure status is through measurement. There are no reliable symptoms until serious complications have already developed.

Globally, an estimated 1.4 billion adults aged 30–79 years were living with hypertension in 2024, representing roughly one‑third of the adult population in that age range. Alarmingly, nearly half of them are unaware of their condition, and only about one in five has their blood pressure under control. This means most people at risk are undiagnosed, untreated or inadequately managed.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major cause of premature death worldwide, contributing to more than 10 million deaths annually due to cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Despite being both preventable and treatable, the condition continues to escalate, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries where health systems often struggle to provide routine chronic disease care.

In Nigeria, where the population now exceeds 200 million, hypertension is a growing public health challenge. According to health data, the prevalence of high blood pressure among adults varies significantly by region and study design, but rates are uniformly high. Estimates suggest that about one in every three adults has elevated blood pressure. Awareness, treatment and control rates are low in Nigeria, exacerbating the risk of complications at younger ages.

A report by the Nigerian Hypertension Society shows that less than 2.5 per cent of Nigerians with hypertension have achieved successful blood pressure control — despite an estimated 31 per cent prevalence. Only about one‑third of those affected are aware of their condition, and only a small fraction receive regular treatment. This low control rate reflects gaps in screening, access to care, medication adherence and routine monitoring.

Research in Nigeria also reveals that young adults are far from immune. A study across several Nigerian states found that nearly one in five young adults (aged under 30) had raised blood pressure. This dispels the myth that hypertension is exclusively a disease of older adults and highlights the urgent need for targeted screening and education among younger age groups.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is increasingly affecting young Nigerians, driven by lifestyle, stress, and broader social factors. Rapid urbanisation, sedentary work, unhealthy diets high in salt and processed foods, excessive alcohol, and tobacco use all contribute to early elevation of blood pressure. Chronic stress—from economic pressures, career demands, and social expectations—further strains the cardiovascular system. Rising rates of overweight and obesity among urban youth intensify the risk. Many young people assume they are “too young” for hypertension, delaying health checks until a life-threatening event, such as a heart attack or stroke, occurs. Unlike visible illnesses, high blood pressure is often silent, making routine monitoring critical.

The World Health Organization emphasises that regular blood pressure checks—at clinics, pharmacies, outreach programs, or at home with validated devices—empower individuals to understand and manage their cardiovascular risk. Early detection enables lifestyle interventions such as reduced salt intake, regular exercise, stress management, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and timely medical treatment, all of which significantly reduce long-term complications. For young Nigerians, integrating routine blood pressure checks into annual health assessments is a simple, life-saving step. Awareness today preserves heart health, prevents costly complications, and ensures a better quality of life tomorrow.