Pakistan witnesses rise in hypertension cases among youth aged 16 to 18

Health experts in Pakistan have sounded the alarm over the increasing number of people with hypertension, which includes a high number of cases among youth aged 16 to 18.

The experts attributed the high blood pressure to the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods, salt, and sedentary lifestyles.

They also believed that the lack of physical activities has been triggering health trouble, and they advised immediate action to both individuals and the authorities.

According to health advisers, high blood pressure puts individuals at risk of other diseases that can be fatal.

Dr. Junaid Patel, a professor of medicine at Indus Hospital, said, "We have been seeing an increasing number of hypertension cases among youngsters due to the sedentary lifestyle with physical inactivity."

"It is alarming that youngsters in the age group of 16 to 18 years have been experiencing dangerously high blood pressure levels that can lead them to stroke and heart attack," he added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of people with hypertension doubled between 1990 and 2019, from 650 million to 1.3 billion. 

In Pakistan, hypertension cases increased to 44% compared to 33% globally, and around 56% of patients with the said disease have not been identified yet. Additionally, 65% of diagnoses were not receiving proper treatment.

Professor Muhammad Ishaq of Pakistan Hypertension League (PHL) quoted the latest data, stating, "Around 33.2 million Pakistanis have been suffering from hypertension, and 18.59 million are undiagnosed yet. Of which only 5.11 million are currently receiving treatment from hypertension, and only 1.61 million could successfully control it."

Dr. Akram Sultan, a renowned cardiologist, asserted to kickstart mass awareness campaigns to control the disease and frequent screening campaigns in Pakistan to diagnose people with hypertension are necessary.