By IFEOMA NZEDIEGWU

A Consultant Cardiologist at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Dr Nneka Udora, has expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of hypertension among young adults in Nigeria.

Udora said that the condition was being diagnosed with growing frequency among people as young as 18 years, highlighting a worrying trend in cardiovascular health.

The cardiologist said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Awka, where she discussed the growing burden of hypertension.

She described hypertension as a “silent killer,” warning that many people living with the condition often experienced no symptoms until severe health complications developed.

According to Udora, hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed 140/90 millimetres of mercury, increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular and other health complications.

She warned that unmanaged hypertension could lead to life-threatening conditions such as stroke, kidney failure, heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases that significantly affected quality of life.

The cardiologist emphasised the need for collective action in preventing and managing the disease, noting that hypertension affected millions globally, including an increasing number of young adults.

She explained that effective management of hypertension largely depended on lifestyle modification and strict adherence to healthy living practices aimed at reducing major risk factors.

Udora identified several risk factors associated with hypertension, including heredity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and prolonged exposure to chronic stress.

She urged Nigerians to monitor their blood pressure regularly and embrace healthier lifestyles to reduce the risk of hypertension and its potentially severe complications.

“To prevent and control hypertension, people should eat healthy foods, reduce salt intake, avoid alcohol and smoking, engage in regular exercise and manage stress effectively,” she said.

Udora added that increased consumption of vegetables and maintaining a healthy lifestyle could significantly lower the risk of developing hypertension and other related diseases. (NAN)