BY RITA OYIBOKA
DECADES ago, hypertension was seen as an ailment of old age. A condition associated with grey hairs, grandparents, and decades of life’s accumulated stress. But today, the story has taken an even more disturbing turn.
The number of young adults suffering from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, in Nigeria is rising at an alarming rate, and the warning signs are being ignored.
In Nigeria, a country already battling with a fragile healthcare system, erratic power supply, and inflation biting into the average citizen’s pocket, this crisis has been brewing under the radar.
Hypertension, often dubbed the ‘silent killer’, is no longer the disease of the aged. From the sweaty bus conductor yelling ‘one chance’ under the unforgiving sun, to the sharply dressed banker sealed in an air-conditioned cubicle, no one is spared. High blood pressure has shed its reputation as an old man’s disease and is now comfortably settling into the lives of young Nigerians aged 18 to 45.
And the tragic part is that most of them have no idea they’re ticking time bombs. Many are walking around with dangerously high numbers, clueless. They think they’re just tired, or maybe ‘village people’ are at work, when in fact, it’s their blood pressure steadily rewriting their fate in silence.
A Wake-Up Call in Numbers
According to some medical studies, the prevalence rate of hypertension among young adults in Nigeria is as high as 21.3 per cent in some areas. That’s more than 1 in 5 young Nigerians walking around with dangerously elevated blood pressure.
Most of them show no outward symptoms, and when the body eventually cries out, it’s often too late, manifesting in strokes, kidney failures, or sudden collapse and death.
This silent epidemic gained more traction as the world marked the 20th anniversary of World Hypertension Day on May 17, 2025. The theme, “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer!” is not just a campaign slogan; it’s a direct message to Nigerians.
A Community Outreach That Hit Home
This year’s World Hypertension Day took a very practical turn in Asaba, Delta State, where member representing Oshimili South Local Government Area in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu took healthcare to the people.
In collaboration with the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), Anyafulu flagged off a free medical outreach programme for traders at the bustling Ogbogonogo Market.
“I have brought these doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel to you in the market, knowing that because of your busy trading schedules, you rarely have time to check your health status,” she told the crowd of curious traders.
“We have come here, in conjunction with the Asaba Specialist Hospital, to ensure you remain healthy. These days, you often hear of someone working or selling who suddenly collapses and dies, simply because they have not been monitoring their blood pressure.”
Her words struck a chord. The stories are not uncommon: market women dropping dead at their stalls, young men slumping in offices, or drivers losing control behind the wheel due to undiagnosed high blood pressure. These incidents have become ugly reminders of the importance of proactive health monitoring.
Medicine in the Marketplace
At the Ogbogonogo Market outreach, dozens of medical professionals screened traders for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and even malaria. Free medication was distributed, and patients with more serious health conditions were advised on follow-up care.
The Chief Medical Director of ASH, Dr Peace Ighosewe highlighted the urgency of the outreach. “Hypertension had become a major silent killer, particularly among younger people. We at the Asaba Specialist Hospital are collaborating with Hon. Bridget Anyafulu to carry out an awareness campaign and provide free medical services to traders in Ogbogonogo Market,” she said.
“We are checking their blood pressure, educating them on what hypertension is, and why it is important to ‘know your number’. We are also screening for related conditions. When you hear of hypertension, diabetes is often not far behind. These two tend to go together, and when combined, the outcome can be devastating.
The Special Assistant on Health Matters, Dr Chukwemaka Obiazor, emphasised this point. “Hypertension is one of the most prevalent illnesses among Nigerians,” he said, urging citizens to take the simple but crucial step of checking their blood pressure regularly.
The Chairman of the Ogbogonogo Market, Mr Aboyi Chijindu, lauded the initiative. “This is what true leadership is about: bringing healthcare directly to the people. We are grateful.”
Hypertension Has No Age
For many, high blood pressure is simply an issue of eating too much salt or having a family history of hypertension. While those are contributing factors, the truth is more complex. Sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, excessive stress, and lack of health consciousness are deeply rooted causes.
According to a public health practitioner and non-communicable disease programme coordinator under the Delta State Ministry of Health, Dr Rita Opene, “Children today are given unhealthy snacks and drinks, and they lack physical activity. They sit in school all day, eat carb-heavy snacks, and come home to sedentary activities like using gadgets or watching TV.”
“This has led to a rise in overweight children. Additionally, some parents believe a chubby child is a sign of good health and overfeed them, even under a year old. This lifestyle is a breeding ground for NCDs. We could be heading in that direction if we don’t make changes.”
It’s a sobering truth: Nigeria may be raising a generation that will suffer chronic illnesses far earlier in life than their parents did.
When Lifestyle Becomes a Lifeline
Indeed, hypertension is not just about genetics, it’s about how we live. Dr Opene laid it bare: “Living a healthy life requires intentionality. Eat more fruits and vegetables, reduce carbs and proteins, and limit carbonated drinks.
Individuals should adopt physical activity, walk around your neighbourhood, even if you have a car. Monitor your salt and sugar intake, keep track of your weight, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol.”
She stressed the importance of public awareness. “Regular check-ups are essential for early detection of health issues. Education is key. We need continuous public health campaigns that emphasise the importance of healthy eating, regular exercise, and routine medical check-ups.
“Schools should incorporate physical education and nutritional programmes into their curriculum. Community leaders and influencers can help spread the message. Additionally, we should leverage social media and other digital platforms to reach a broader audience.”
The Nigerian Reality
For many Nigerians, the idea of going to the hospital without feeling deathly ill is still foreign. Routine checks are perceived as unnecessary or even extravagant. Yet, the consequences of this neglect are piling up in hospital morgues, stroke wards, and orphaned families.
In rural communities and even urban centres, awareness is still painfully low. The culture of “managing” a condition with painkillers or herbs remains prevalent, and hypertension is often undiagnosed until it causes a catastrophic event.
Furthermore, the healthcare system itself doesn’t always help. Long queues, poorly equipped clinics, and high out-of-pocket expenses discourage early detection and consistent monitoring.
Still, grassroots efforts like the outreach in Asaba offer a glimmer of hope, evidence that with the right partnerships and political will, communities can be empowered to take their health seriously.
A New Normal, A New Discipline
To curb the hypertension crisis in Nigeria, there must be a cultural and behavioural shift. Health must become a priority. It’s time to normalise regular check-ups, healthy meals, exercise routines, and digital health tracking. Employers, schools, churches, and market associations should make health screenings a routine part of their structure.
This is not a fight for doctors alone. It is a collective responsibility, and it starts with something as simple as knowing your number.
Hypertension doesn’t always come with symptoms. But when it strikes, it rarely leaves survivors unscathed. Strokes, heart disease, and kidney damage, all of which are not just possibilities; they are real threats lurking behind an unchecked blood pressure reading.
As Nigeria joins the global community in marking World Hypertension Day, the message should be loud and clear: Blood Pressure Doesn’t Knock, it strikes. Measure your blood pressure, control it, and live longer. Not just for you, but for your children, your community, and your future.
Because the greatest wealth is health, and it begins with awareness.
