Rise in hypertension among young Indian children alarming: AIIMS study

According to health experts at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the early onset of hypertension among children and adolescents is becoming an alarming concern.

Hypertension among children is alarming

Dr Sumit Malhotra, Professor Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, said surveys which are being done in different parts of the country, looked into the hypertension levels, and found that 15 -20 per cent of the children and teenagers aged between 10-19 have hypertension more than what is normal at their age. The doctor also mentioned that one of the critical challenges identified during the survey is the lack of awareness about blood pressure.

Dr 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 one-third," she said.

The experts said that besides genetic risks, early age tobacco intake, excess weight, physical inactivity, and sedentary lifestyle, are the major risk factors for high BP.

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