Onset of hypertension among young Indian children 'alarming': AIIMS

While age is a known risk factor for high blood pressure the early onset of hypertension among young children up to 20 per cent is alarming said health experts here at All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS on Friday As May is marked as the hypertension awareness month experts from the apex institute briefed the media about the rising cases of hypertension in the country the reasons behind and how to mitigate itAbout 1520 per cent of children and adolescents aged between 1019 have hypertension more than what is normal at their age said Dr Sumit Malhotra Professor Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMSIt is alarming he added noting that high BP is a major cause of brain stroke myocardial infarction or heart attack kidney disease and retina problems among othersHe said that in most cases people are not aware of their blood pressure status and those who are aware do not go for treatment He emphasised the need to accurately measure BP and then treat them early ALSO READ Uncontrolled hypertension in the young can raise risk of heart failure vision loss and cognitive decline DoctorsSchools and educational institutes are very important platforms for a healthy young generation to help understand the risk and make early lifestyle modifications the doctor saidDr Kiran Goswami Professor Centre for Community Medicine AIIMS said that hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor and accounts for most premature deaths in the country especially in the younger population If you can control your systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 10 millimetres of mercury you can bring down about 20 per cent early risk of death by cardiovascular deaths Stroke risks can be reduced by onethird she saidThe experts said that besides genetic risks early age tobacco intake excess weight physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle are the major risk factors for high BPStress is also a major risk factor said Dr SumitEducational institutions must teach the younger population on how to deal with stress Pressures begin from a young age How to cope with stress is an important life skill that must be taught to our young kids and this will pay a longterm dividend in combating many situations including early onset of noncommunicable diseases NCDs he saidThe experts called for practising a healthy lifestyle eating more fruit and vegetables and 30 minutes of aerobic exercises like brisk walking and cyclingThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever