Gone are the days when high blood pressure was considered a condition mainly affecting the elderly. Today, it is widely acknowledged that hypertension is increasingly common among younger people in society.
In light of this shift, the Upper East Regional Health Director has attributed the rising trend to lifestyle changes among the youth, which he believes are fueling the growing prevalence of high blood pressure in an age group that traditionally fell outside the risk category.
In an interview with the Vaultz News, Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari emphasized that the types of food and beverages young people consume play a major role in triggering hypertension.
He urged individuals to become more intentional about their diets and overall lifestyles, noting that these choices significantly impact long-term health.
“Hypertension was reserved for the elderly and people who were well-to-do or obese, but the focus has shifted. Now we can no longer say hypertension is a disease of the aged or elderly people, our lifestyles have changed. I don’t know how many times we even see young men and young people now riding bicycles or walking on foot. If they are not driving cars, they are sitting on motorbikes.
“Because of the improvement in our standard of living, you also have a lot of people able to afford cars, people are even able to put air-conditioners to fit into their homes, offices then you will turn around look at the nature of work we do now because in the past means of survival was physical, strenuous work. Now, a lot of people engage in work that does not demand physical strength”.
Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari
Dr. Abubakari further disclosed that the seasonings commonly used in preparing meals consumed by many young people contain high levels of sodium, which is a major contributor to high blood pressure—particularly among the youth.
As such, he advised that young men, if possible, should avoid consuming these sodium-heavy seasonings.
He explained that many assume table salt is the only source of sodium, but in reality, various food seasonings—such as different types of stock cubes and additives found in dishes like fried rice—often contain even higher levels of sodium than regular white salt.
Hidden Dangers Of High Blood Pressure In Youth
Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari also pointed out that hypertension in young people is often secondary, meaning it usually stems from an underlying health condition that may cause elevated blood pressure levels.
He stressed the importance of regular blood pressure checks, noting that consistent monitoring can help doctors identify whether other organs have been affected by the increased pressure with which the heart pumps blood throughout the body.
“Sometimes it is because of blood pressure that we diagnose someone as having a kidney disease. When the kidneys are not functioning, they contribute to controlling blood pressure, so the blood pressure will go up.”
Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari
In addition to the previously mentioned causes of high blood pressure—clinically referred to as hypertension— the Regional Director of Health also pointed out that the condition can be hereditary.
He explained that if there is a history of hypertension within one’s family or lineage, then any member of that family could be at risk of inheriting the condition, stressing the need for individuals and families to make regular blood pressure checks a deliberate practice.
Dr. Abubakari noted that hypertension is one of those illnesses that often go unnoticed until a serious complication arises due to a spike in blood pressure.
He explained that such complications usually occur when high blood pressure begins to affect critical organs in the body, making it a matter of luck if someone shows symptoms when their blood pressure rises.
Since high blood pressure cannot be detected by simple physical observation, he emphasized the importance of people visiting health facilities regularly to have their blood pressure monitored.
This, he said, would help in identifying and addressing any potential issues early on before they escalate and damage essential organs in the human body.
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