: Frequent eating out is resulting in a sharp increase in hypertension in the age group of 25-35 years.
This, coupled with stress and ignorance of the symptoms, is a dangerous mix, warns a recently-released survey.
Males at risk
Indus Health Plus Abnormality report—released ahead of World Hypertension Day on May 17— states that 22 per cent of Delhiites are ignorant about hypertension symptoms. Males are more prone to obesity than females, which take them to a greater risk of high BP as well. Indus Health Plus is a health check-up company. For the survey, it looked at a sample size of 24,642 people.
“Delhi is a city of food lovers. In an average, a family eats out once a week, resulting in intake of fatty and unhealthy food. Five to seven per cent of such families were under the risk of BP. Also, no exercise and prevalence of indoor games amongst teenagers today have increased the cases by at least five per cent,’’ states the report.
Teens falling prey
Mr. Amol Naikawadi, preventive healthcare specialist, Indus Health Plus, said: “The incidences of high BP are more amongst males (35-40 years) than females. It is not only prevalent in older age groups but also affecting those in early 20s.’’
He said that people who followed a sedentary lifestyle fell prey to hypertension. If not treated on time, it can lead to heart and renal problems, and multiple organ failure.
The report says that 80 per cent of people do not consume the recommended quantities of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of potassium and can reduce the impact of sodium on blood pressure.
Doctors say that even if it’s just on every weekend, binge drinking during teenage years may lead to early onset of hypertension.
The study reveals that 171 patients out of 475 ( 36 per cent) indulged in binge drinking , ranging from once a week to thrice a week.
No exercise and a sedentary lifestyle is putting teens
at risk of blood pressure issues
