In Ho Chi Minh City, a 20-year-old man with diabetes has been living with the condition for five years but only took it seriously when he experienced difficulty breathing and sought medical attention. His blood pressure was found to be 160/90 mmHg, and Dr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, a prominent veinologist, criticized him for not properly managing his type 1 diabetes and advised him on the risks of untreated diabetes leading to high blood pressure and potential heart failure.
On the other hand, another young man aged 23 experienced symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, numb tongue, and blurred vision. Despite being advised to seek hospitalization for further evaluation, he hesitated and ended up with stage 5 kidney failure that required dialysis or a transplant. High blood pressure or hypertension is often called a “silent killer” as it may not present obvious symptoms. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 billion people worldwide have hypertension, with many unaware of their condition.
In Vietnam, over 12 million people have hypertension, with many unaware or undertreated. The prevalence of hypertension is increasing even among younger individuals due to lifestyle factors like smoking and lack of exercise as well as genetic predisposition and underlying health conditions like obesity and diabetes. Prevention measures include maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly while monitoring blood pressure regularly can help prevent hypertension’s associated complications like heart disease and stroke.
It is crucial for young people to take proactive steps in managing their health by seeking medical attention if they experience any concerning symptoms like headaches or blurred vision. Hypertension left untreated can lead to serious complications such as heart disease or stroke even death. By taking steps to reduce risk factors like smoking cessation, healthy diet choices, regular exercise regimen they can work towards preventing hypertension’s associated complications.
Regular check-ups are vital in early detection of high blood pressure while monitoring blood pressure regularly helps in its management effectively. Young individuals need to prioritize their health by recognizing the importance of reducing risk factors early on to prevent hypertension’s associated complications later on in life.