Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often associated with older age. The older a person is, the higher the likelihood of developing hypertension. However, cases of hypertension are now shifting toward younger age groups compared to several decades ago.
Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” because it often presents no clear symptoms, leaving many patients unaware of their condition.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 report, 33 percent of the global population, or equivalent to one in three people, live with hypertension.
The number continues to rise each year and is projected to reach 1.5 billion people by 2025.
Professor Fatwa Sari Tetra Dewi from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM) explained that the increasing prevalence of hypertension among young people is not only linked to genetics but also to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.
Habits such as smoking, high-fat and high-sodium diets, low intake of fruits and vegetables, lack of physical activity, and high stress levels are major contributing factors.
“Genetics alone cannot fully explain the growing cases of hypertension among younger people. The main factor is unhealthy lifestyle behavior,” Professor Dewi stated on Monday (Sep. 29).
In addition to lifestyle factors, she emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups, even at a young age, since hypertension can only be detected through examination.
This aligns with government screening programs designed to identify patients early so that treatment can be provided promptly.
“Young people often do not realize they have hypertension because they still feel healthy in terms of physical ability,” she added.
Professor Dewi further stressed that the most effective way to control hypertension is through early prevention by adopting healthy lifestyle habits from a young age.
Families, she noted, play a crucial role in this effort, from providing balanced daily meals and encouraging sports or physical activities (ranging from light to vigorous) to managing stress effectively.
“Democratic parenting, rather than being overly instructive, will also help strengthen children’s resilience,” she remarked.
She also emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in managing hypertension among adolescents.
Healthy lifestyle changes for teenagers, she explained, cannot be imposed abruptly; instead, they should be introduced gradually to ensure they remain enjoyable and sustainable.
“Clean and healthy living behaviors have long been promoted, but what matters most is our willingness to move forward together,” Professor Dewi concluded.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik