A Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Adisa Adams, has raised alarm over the increasing number of young Nigerian adults in their 30s being diagnosed with hypertension, describing the condition as a serious threat to their lives and future.
Dr. Adams, who works with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), made the statement on Sunday during an interview with reporters in Lagos.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 1.3 billion adults globally live with hypertension, with nearly half unaware of their condition, and only one in five achieving controlled blood pressure. In Nigeria, studies show that roughly 25 percent of emergency hospital admissions in urban areas are linked to hypertension-related complications such as stroke, kidney failure, and heart attacks.
Dr. Adams described hypertension as a “silent killer” that is increasingly affecting young people, whereas in the past, it was largely seen in individuals aged 50 and above.
“Previously, high blood pressure was mostly an issue for those aged 50 and older, but now we are seeing hypertensive patients between 28 and 35 years old,” he said.
He attributed the rise in cases among young adults to what he called a “young life mentality syndrome,” poor preventive measures, and a lack of awareness about the disease.
“The younger generation often believes they are too young to be affected, so they neglect regular checkups. Preventive measures are largely ignored, and public sensitisation about the dangers of hypertension is insufficient,” Dr. Adams noted.
The cardiologist advised young adults to adopt healthier lifestyles and undergo regular medical checkups from the age of 28, emphasizing that the absence of symptoms does not mean the disease is not present.
“We have seen cases of young men dying from cardiac arrest while playing sports, jogging, or even sleeping. These deaths could have been prevented with early detection and proper management,” he said.
Sharing a personal account, Lagos-based businessman Mr. Jude Madukwe recounted the death of his 39-year-old brother-in-law, Alex Obiora, who suffered a fatal heart attack while watching a football match in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. “His sudden death left a huge void in the family, and his wife is still struggling to cope,” Madukwe said.
Another consultant cardiologist, Dr. Ramon Moronkola of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), explained that sudden emotional surges—whether from excitement or sadness—can put extreme pressure on an individual’s cardiovascular system.
“If a person has underlying cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension or diabetes and is not managing them properly, an emotional surge can trigger a heart attack or heart failure,” Dr. Moronkola said.
He added that in individuals with no underlying heart conditions, such emotional surges usually do not cause harm. “However, when cardiovascular diseases are present and unmanaged, sudden events such as extreme excitement during sports can lead to fatal outcomes,” he warned.
