As Nearly 1 in 4 US Adults Under 40 Live With Hypertension; Any Lessons For Africa?

By Adebowale Bello. B.Tech Microbiology. Freelance Health Writer.

High blood pressure, often referred to as a "silent killer," is a significant health challenge across Africa, where it remains underdiagnosed and poorly managed.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1 in 4 (27%) of adults generally in Africa live with hypertension, and many are unaware of their condition.

But the alarming rise of high blood pressure among young people under age 40 in recent years has become an issue that demands urgent attention. With Africa’s youth accounting for over 60% of the continent’s total population, this trend poses a critical threat to the future health and security of the region.

According to a US-based research presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2024 that was held September 5-8 in Chicago, 23% of young American adults between the ages of 18 and 39 have high blood pressure. That’s almost one in four young people living with a condition that could lead to severe health problems like heart disease or stroke if left untreated.

It is important to recognize that social factors have a major impact on health outcomes. High blood pressure is not just a result of lifestyle choices or genetics; social determinants such as low education, poverty, lack of healthcare access and food insecurity play significant roles in shaping a person’s health.

In a recent study, it was discovered that young adults with two or more of these social challenges were 80% more likely to have untreated high blood pressure and 70% more likely to have uncontrolled blood pressure.

Worryingly, this issue is not limited to young adults. Children and teenagers are also showing signs of high blood pressure with recent research highlighting that around 1 in 11 (8.7%) youths aged 8 to 19 have elevated blood pressure, while about 1 in 20 (5.4%) already suffer from high blood pressure.

This is particularly prevalent among males and older teens who are struggling with severe obesity and these staggering statistics remind us that we cannot separate our health from the environments in which we live.

While these studies were based in the United States, their findings have significant relevance to Africa, where poverty, inaccessible healthcare and poor nutrition are common issues and these social determinants could potentially make the prevalence of high blood pressure in African youth even worse

The African Perspective

To drive home the lessons that African nations can learn from the US-based studies, more recent research from the region describes a steady increase in the occurrence of hypertension in young adults. A population survey in Zimbabwe showed that 1 in 3 young adults between 18-24 were hypertensive, while 1 in 6 Tanzanians aged 18-24 and one in 1 in 10 Ethiopian youths of ages 18-25 also met the standard for hypertension.

A review study also discovered that about 1 in 3 (32.5%) Nigerians aged 20 and above were hypertensive with the same number being pre-hypertensive. Women were found to be at a higher risk than men. Some risk factors identified in the Nigerian study include; consumption of processed unhealthy foods, low physical activity, an increase in air pollution and the absence of effective nationwide preventative measures. 

More population-based studies are needed across African countries to establish if a rise in hypertension in youths is indeed occurring across nations in the region. 

The Way Forward

With an increase being seen in sudden deaths of young African adults, it's important to understand the role hypertension plays and know how to prevent or manage this medical condition.

Public awareness is a key initiative that should be intensified so that high blood pressure can be taken seriously in African communities. Young people are just as vulnerable to hypertension as well as older adults and regular blood pressure checks should become a routine part of healthcare for everyone.

Related: Hypertension in Nigerian Adults: Essential things to know

Additionally, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a balanced diet and staying active, can help reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure early on.

Moreover, improving access to affordable healthcare is crucial. In many African countries, the lack of adequate healthcare coverage often means that health issues like high blood pressure go unchecked and untreated. Favourable government policies should be implemented to make healthcare services more accessible and affordable, particularly for vulnerable groups like low-income families and young people.

Lastly, addressing broader social issues such as poverty and food insecurity is essential. Ensuring that our communities have access to nutritious food and educational opportunities will not only improve overall quality of life but will also help reduce the burden of health conditions like high blood pressure.

In conclusion, high blood pressure is a growing threat globally. The rise in its occurrence in African youths under age 40 - an age of high productivity and profound contribution to national gross income, should not be ignored as a public health threat of immense impact. By promoting awareness, encouraging healthy habits, improving healthcare access and addressing social challenges, young African adults can be protected from the dangers of high blood pressure.

Sources: 

1. American Heart Association Newsroom.

2. Adeloye D, Owolabi EO, Ojji DB, Auta A, Dewan MT, Olanrewaju TO, Ogah OS, Omoyele C, Ezeigwe N, Mpazanje RG, Gadanya MA, Agogo E, Alemu W, Adebiyi AO, Harhay MO. Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Nigeria in 1995 and 2020: A systematic analysis of current evidence. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2021 May;23(5):963-977. doi: 10.1111/jch.14220. Epub 2021 Feb 18. PMID: 33600078; PMCID: PMC8678849. Available from here.

3. Sabapathy, K, Mwita, F.C, Dauya, E, Bandason, T., Simms, V, & Dziva Chikwari, C, et al. (2024). Prevalence of hypertension and high-normal blood pressure among young adults in Zimbabwe: Findings from a large, cross-sectional population-based survey. The Lancet, 8(2), 101-111. Available from here.

Additional Resources:

The Role of Diet In The Control of Hypertension: What Africans Should Know

Best Exercise For Blood Pressure Control

Published: September 30, 2024

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