Medical experts have warned that hypertension is increasingly affecting young Nigerians under the age of 40, driven largely by unhealthy lifestyles, stress, poor dietary habits, and low awareness about routine health checks.

The physicians spoke in Ibadan during activities marking the 2026 World Hypertension Day, themed “Controlling Hypertension Together,” cautioning that the condition is becoming a major public health concern among younger adults.

A Consultant Cardiologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Temilade Adeyanju, said hypertension cases were rising sharply both globally and in Nigeria, especially among young people who often neglect regular medical screening.

According to her, hypertension remains dangerous because it frequently develops without symptoms until severe complications occur.

She explained that while some global medical bodies define hypertension as blood pressure above 140/90mmHg, the American Heart Association and the US Centers for Disease Control classify readings above 130/80mmHg as hypertension.

Adeyanju advised Nigerians to maintain blood pressure levels below 120/80mmHg, stressing that the condition is a “silent killer” responsible for strokes, heart failure, kidney disease, blindness, sexual dysfunction, and sudden death when left uncontrolled.

She noted that many Nigerians only discover they are hypertensive after arriving at emergency units with serious complications.

The cardiologist identified poor diet, obesity, diabetes, smoking, alcohol intake, chronic stress, physical inactivity, and family history as major risk factors, particularly among younger adults.

She also blamed ignorance, poor health-seeking behaviour, and the high cost of healthcare for worsening the crisis, adding that prevention and early detection remain the cheapest and most effective forms of management.

Adeyanju urged stronger public awareness campaigns, routine blood pressure screening, and increased collaboration between government agencies, health institutions, and organisations working on cardiovascular health.

She further called for more government investment in research, local health data collection, and affordable treatment options to improve patient adherence and reduce deaths linked to hypertension.

Also speaking, a Public Health Physician at UCH, Dr. Ifeoluwa Odedina, revealed that many Nigerians currently live with hypertension unknowingly because the condition often shows no early symptoms.

He referenced a 2025 study conducted in Ibadan which found that about 10.2 per cent of adults had undiagnosed hypertension.

Odedina said hypertension screening at the primary healthcare level remained simple and effective, requiring only basic equipment and trained healthcare workers.

However, he noted that many Nigerians rarely go for routine checks because they feel healthy until complications arise.

He identified excessive salt intake, alcohol consumption, smoking, and stressful lifestyles as major contributors to high blood pressure, especially among Black populations who may be more sensitive to salt-related hypertension.

The physician also highlighted the importance of health insurance, saying it helps patients afford medications and routine monitoring needed for proper blood pressure control.

He advised adults to check their blood pressure at least twice every year and encouraged those already diagnosed with hypertension to remain consistent with medications and clinic appointments.

According to him, regular exercise, reduced salt consumption, moderation in alcohol intake, quitting smoking, and stress management are critical steps toward preventing hypertension-related complications.