Indian Guidelines Hypertension in the Young (Under the Aegis of the Indian Association of Clinical M – 1st Edition

Hypertension Per Se Is Not A Disease But Is Definitely A Risk Factor Of Immense Importance. Of Late, The Prevalence Of Hypertension In The Young Adult Population In India Is Rising&Mdash;More In Men Than Women. Over 11% Of The Population Aged 15&Ndash;49 Years In India Is Hypertensive. Young-Onset Hypertension (Yoh) Is Defined As The Onset Of Hypertension In Individuals Aged ≪ 40 Years. This Number Is Escalating With Lifestyle Behaviours and The Lowering Of International Hypertension Diagnostic Thresholds To Sbp/Dbp Of 130/80 Mm Hg. The Prevalence Of Yoh Is Relatively Higher In Urban Than In Rural Areas At The National Level&Mdash;But The Rural&Ndash;Urban Difference Is Small&Mdash;Implying That The Hypertension Epidemic Is Spreading Fast In The Rural Population. An Increasing Number Of Young Persons In India Are At Risk Of Developing Hypertension Due To A Multiplicity Of Factors&Mdash;Rising Affluence, Urbanization, Sedentary Lifestyle, Changing Dietary Habits, Obesity Prevalence, Social Stress, and Possibly Genetic Factors&Mdash;Thus Increasing The Risk Of Cardiovascular Events In Middle Age, Resulting In Impaired Health and Productivity. Among Young Adults, Diastolic Hypertension Is Reported To Be More Common (62%) Than Isolated Systolic Hypertension (28%). The End Result Is That This Young Population Has A Higher Prevalence Of Hypertension Associated With Cardiac, Renal, Neurological, Ophthalmic, and Other Complications. As A Result, It Contributes To An Earlier Onset Of Coronary Heart Disease, Heart Failure, Chronic Kidney Disease, Ocular Hemorrhages, Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attacks, Cognitive Decline, and Dementia.