An alert for youth as hypertension cases surge

Lokmat News Network

Aditi Sharma

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The days when hypertension was considered a disease affecting only the elderly are long gone.

Once seen mostly among senior citizens, high blood pressure is now emerging as a major health concern among the younger generation, raising alarm among healthcare experts. World Hypertension Day 2026 carries the theme, 'Controlling hypertension together: check your blood pressure regularly, defeat the silent killer.' The following real-life cases show how silently hypertension can affect people across different age groups and lifestyles.

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CASES

Silent danger, loud warning

I ignored frequent headaches for almost two years. My condition worsened when I suddenly fainted while cooking last November. Doctors later diagnosed me with severe hypertension. Doctors warned that the condition could have led to heart blockages and eventually triggered a heart attack. This incident made me realise the importance of not neglecting early warning signs.

- Sunanda Jadhav (59), Housewife, Chikalthana

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Pumped up, burned out

I consumed several energy drinks and pre-workout supplements daily to handle long training hours. One night, I suddenly experienced blurred vision and breathlessness while exercising at the gym. Later, doctors found my blood pressure dangerously high and diagnosed me with hypertension. As per doctor's prescription, I have banned using stimulant-based supplements, redesigned my sleep schedule, and began regular medical monitoring.

- Sahil (name changed, 27), Gym Trainer, Harsul

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Silent killer, loud consequences

Hypertension is often called a 'silent killer' because symptoms usually appear very late. Frequent headaches, chest pain, palpitations, and breathlessness are considered common early warning signs of hypertension. Out of the nearly 50 cardiac patients examined daily at GMCH, around 40% are hypertensive. Immediate changes in lifestyle and adopting de-stress activities can help improve the situation."

- Dr. Ganesh Sapkal, Cardiologist, GMCH

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Hypertension rising across the district

Family history and arterial stiffening with age are major non-modifiable causes of hypertension, while alcohol and nicotine actively worsen blood pressure. The Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes study (ICMR-INDIAB) study estimates national hypertension prevalence at 35.5%. Approximately 25 high blood pressure patients visit Civil Hospital daily.

- Dr. Padmaja Saraf, Additional Civil Surgeon

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23.75% above 30 in city suffer from hypertension

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar's nearly 6.69 lakh residents above 30, an estimated 23.75% live with hypertension. Government and private hospitals collectively record 1,000–1,200 hypertension patients visiting OPDs daily for follow-up, while 180–200 new cases are diagnosed every day.

- Dr. Paras Mandlecha, Municipal Officer of Health