High BP now hitting people in their 30s, doctors urge frequent checks
Doctors say high blood pressure is showing up in fit young adults with no warning signs, urging checks 5 to 10 times a year even at 30.
High blood pressure can strike even at the age of 30, and the most dangerous part is that it shows no symptoms at all. Dr Gagandeep S, a senior heart specialist at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, says the biggest problem with high BP is that the disease gives no warning signs.
Many people believe that rising BP will cause chest pain or breathlessness. But nothing of the sort happens. A person continues going about their day as usual and feels completely fine. Yet inside, the blood vessels are slowly being affected. The heart has to work harder with every beat and the arteries begin to stiffen. This is why doctors call high BP a silent killer, a disease that kills quietly. Nothing shows on the outside, but it keeps hollowing out the body from within.
Dr Gagandeep says he now sees men and women aged 30 to 32 who look completely fit, go to the gym and hold office jobs, but tests reveal their BP is elevated. Some even need to start medication.
The cause lies in lifestyle. Sitting in front of a laptop all day, staying up late on the phone at night, insufficient sleep, excess salt in food, fast food, packaged snacks and work stress are all pushing up BP at a young age. BP does not rise in a day, it builds up slowly over months or years, which is why it goes unnoticed until it is too late. If left unaddressed, it raises the risk of heart attack, stroke or kidney failure later on.
Many assume BP checks are only needed after 50, but that is a mistake. Even at 30, getting BP checked is essential. Doctors advise that a 30 year old should get their BP checked at least 5 to 10 times a year. The check takes just two minutes but can reveal a problem well in advance.
One high reading does not automatically mean a person has high BP. Sometimes stress alone can raise it temporarily. So check daily for a week or two, and only see a doctor if the readings stay high repeatedly.
Avoiding high BP does not require drastic steps, just daily habit changes. Start with food: cut down on salty restaurant food, fast food and chips, and eat simple home-cooked meals. Second, start walking instead of sitting all day, aiming for at least 2,000 to 3,000 steps daily. Even without a gym, walking helps.
Sleep is essential too, get 6 to 8 hours of good sleep and avoid the phone late at night. Most importantly, cut stress, avoid taking work tension and set aside time for yourself. Being 30 does not mean old age, but it is the right time to start taking care of the body. Get your BP checked today.
