Trendy way of life causes hypertension alarmingly amongst youths: Specialists 

Representational picture. Collected

DHAKA, May 16, 2026 (BSS)- Medical specialists have warned of an alarming rise in hypertension circumstances in Bangladesh, particularly amongst younger individuals, forward of World Hypertension Day, saying unhealthy life, poor meals habits, stress, lack of train, sleep disruption, and extreme display time are driving the development.

On the eve of World Hypertension Day, heart specialist Dr. Md. Hasan Farooq Bhuiyan stated extra younger adults are creating hypertension due to unhealthy routines, bodily inactivity, and rising psychological stress. He famous that over 90 p.c of hypertension circumstances are idiopathic, which means they haven’t any direct medical trigger, whereas a smaller quantity are linked to circumstances comparable to kidney illness, thyroid issues, or pregnancy-related problems.

Dr. Hasan stated the rising reputation of quick meals and on-line meals supply providers over the past decade has considerably contributed to hypertension. Restaurants and roadside eateries usually reuse cooking oil a number of instances, producing unhealthy fat that harm blood vessels and improve levels of cholesterol.

“When oil is reheated repeatedly, it creates harmful fats that contribute to stiffness in blood vessels and increase blood pressure and cardiovascular risks,” he stated.

He additionally highlighted how altering work tradition, significantly the rise of work-from-home practices, has disrupted sleeping habits and organic rhythms. Many individuals now keep awake late at night time, spend lengthy hours in entrance of screens, and fail to get sufficient sleep, all of which have an effect on hormonal stability and regularly improve blood strain.

According to Dr. Hasan, youthful generations have gotten much less bodily energetic than earlier generations. Outdoor video games and train are more and more being changed by cell phone use, on-line gaming, and social media, leading to sedentary life that improve the danger of hypertension and different cardiovascular illnesses.

Stress and nervousness are additionally main contributors to hypertension. Dr. Hasan defined that psychological strain triggers the discharge of cortisol, a hormone that instantly will increase blood strain. He stated stress-related hypertension impacts not solely workplace staff coping with deadlines and job strain, but in addition homemakers managing household tasks and childcare.

Describing hypertension as a ‘silent killer’, Dr. Hasan warned that the illness usually develops with out noticeable signs whereas silently damaging the guts, mind, kidneys, and eyes. Many individuals keep away from well being check-ups as a result of they worry lifelong treatment, however uncontrolled hypertension can result in extreme problems.

He stated extended hypertension forces the guts to work more durable, inflicting thickening of coronary heart muscle tissues, irregular heartbeat, and ultimately coronary heart failure. Sudden spikes in blood strain brought on by stress, anger, or lack of sleep can rupture blood vessels within the mind and set off strokes, one of many main causes of dying and incapacity worldwide.

Hypertension can be a significant reason behind kidney harm. Long-term uncontrolled blood strain regularly reduces the kidneys’ skill to filter waste, inflicting swelling, weak spot, and decreased urine output. It can even harm delicate blood vessels within the eyes, resulting in imaginative and prescient issues and hypertensive retinopathy.

Despite its critical penalties, specialists stated hypertension can largely be prevented and managed by way of way of life modifications and early prognosis. Dr. Hasan careworn the significance of normal well being screenings, significantly for individuals over the age of 30.

“Everyone above 30 should check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels at least once every six months, even if they feel healthy,” he stated.

He suggested individuals to scale back salt consumption and keep away from processed snacks comparable to biscuits, chips, and chanachur due to their excessive sodium content material. Dietary modifications alone can cut back blood strain by two to 5 millimeters of mercury (mmHg), he stated.

Dr. Hasan additionally beneficial no less than 30 to 45 minutes of brisk strolling or reasonable train every day, saying common bodily exercise can decrease blood strain by 5 to 10 mmHg. Maintaining a wholesome weight and guaranteeing correct nighttime sleep are equally vital for hormonal stability and cardiovascular well being.

“People must understand that hypertension is no longer a disease of old age. It is becoming increasingly common among young adults due to unhealthy lifestyles and unmanaged stress,” he added.

According to the World Health Organization, almost 20 p.c of adults in Bangladesh are affected by hypertension. The WHO’s 2025 report said that 283,800 individuals in Bangladesh died from coronary heart disease-related sicknesses in 2024, and 52 p.c of these deaths had been linked to hypertension.

The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–2018 discovered that almost 40 p.c of individuals aged 35 and above have hypertension, in comparison with 26 p.c in 2011. 

Among males, the speed elevated from 20 p.c to 34 p.c, whereas amongst ladies it rose from 32 p.c to 45 p.c. The survey additionally revealed that 51 p.c of girls and 67 p.c of males with hypertension are unaware that they’ve the situation.

High blood strain is now one of many high three causes of dying and incapacity in Bangladesh. Every 12 months, round 277,000 individuals within the nation die from coronary heart disease-related sicknesses, with hypertension being one of many main causes.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025, hypertension ranks first among the many high 10 illnesses within the nation.

Professor Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad of Bangladesh Medical University stated that one in each 5 younger individuals in Bangladesh is at the moment affected by hypertension. He blamed meals comparable to chips, pickles, burgers, pizza, mushy drinks, and meals excessive in sugar and salt for growing blood strain among the many youth.

He additionally famous that the consumption of fruit and veggies is declining, whereas smoking, drug use, air air pollution, and noise air pollution are rising as main danger components. People who work sitting for lengthy intervals are at higher danger of creating hypertension, he added.

Professor Md. Shahabul Huda Chowdhury of Mugda Medical College stated that greater than half of individuals approaching the age of fifty are both affected by hypertension or susceptible to creating it. He expressed concern over the growing variety of younger professionals affected by hypertension.

Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury of National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute stated hypertension and coronary heart illness are not restricted to older adults, as comparable traits are actually being noticed amongst youthful individuals as nicely.

He stated more healthy diets, way of life modifications, and common blood strain testing may assist cut back the rising prevalence of hypertension among the many youthful inhabitants.

Health specialists urged individuals to not look ahead to signs earlier than in search of medical consideration, emphasizing that common blood strain checks, wholesome consuming habits, stress administration, train, and correct sleep can save lives and forestall long-term problems.