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Health experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have raised alarms over the early onset of hypertension in young children, with up to 20 percent of children and adolescents aged between 10-19 years showing elevated blood pressure levels. This revelation came during a media briefing held in observance of Hypertension Awareness Month.
Dr. Sumit Malhotra, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS, highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that hypertension at such a young age is particularly concerning. “It is alarming,” Dr. Malhotra said, pointing out that high blood pressure is a significant cause of brain strokes, myocardial infarctions, kidney disease, and retinal problems.
A worrying trend is that many individuals are unaware of their blood pressure status, and even those who know often do not seek treatment. Dr. Malhotra emphasized the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement and early treatment. He also stressed the role of schools and educational institutions in fostering a healthy young generation by raising awareness and encouraging early lifestyle modifications.
Dr. Kiran Goswami, another Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine, underscored hypertension as a major modifiable risk factor contributing to most premature deaths in the country, especially among the youth. “If you can control your systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 10 millimeters of mercury, you can reduce the early risk of cardiovascular death by about 20 percent and stroke risk by one-third,” Dr. Goswami explained.
The experts identified several risk factors for high blood pressure, including genetic predisposition, early age tobacco use, excess weight, physical inactivity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Stress was also noted as a significant risk factor, with Dr. Malhotra advocating for stress management education in schools. “Pressures begin from a young age. How to cope with stress is an important life skill that must be taught to our young kids,” he said, suggesting this could help combat early onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
To mitigate the rising cases of hypertension, the experts recommended adopting a healthy lifestyle, incorporating more fruits and vegetables into the diet, and engaging in 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, daily.
The AIIMS experts’ call to action highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and preventive measures to tackle the early onset of hypertension among children and adolescents, aiming for a healthier future generation.
