A medical expert, Dr. Ukoma ChiKadibia, has raised concern over the growing number of young Nigerians living with hypertension, attributing the trend to unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, excessive screen time and inadequate sleep.
ChiKadibia, Vice-President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a meeting organised by the Legislative Advocacy Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals (LISDEL) in Abuja.
He explained that hypertension is a persistent elevation in blood pressure, noting that readings above 130/80 mmHg are considered high and require medical attention.
According to him, although genetics and family history remain important risk factors, unhealthy lifestyle choices are increasingly driving the surge in hypertension among younger people.
“Today’s young people have moved away from the traditional diets our parents ate. Instead, many rely on fast foods, shawarma and other processed meals that contain excessive amounts of sodium, placing added strain on the heart and raising blood pressure,” he said.
The physician noted that obesity, fuelled by unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles and prolonged screen time, has further increased the risk of hypertension among young Nigerians.
“Many young people spend hours glued to their phones, browsing social media and chatting without engaging in any meaningful physical activity.
“Our parents walked long distances, worked on farms and remained physically active. Today, many people would rather drive even the shortest distances. These lifestyle changes are contributing significantly to rising hypertension cases,” he added.
ChiKadibia also identified poor sleep as a major but often overlooked contributor to high blood pressure, blaming late-night internet use for disrupting healthy sleep patterns.
He recalled treating a young patient whose mother revealed that he regularly stayed awake browsing the internet from midnight until about 5 a.m.
“Late-night browsing has become common among young people. When the body is consistently deprived of adequate sleep, it remains under stress, increasing the likelihood of developing hypertension,” he said.
Describing hypertension as a “silent killer,” ChiKadibia warned that many people show no obvious symptoms even when their blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels.
“You could have a blood pressure reading of 180/100 mmHg and still feel perfectly normal. That’s why routine blood pressure checks are essential,” he cautioned.
The expert also expressed concern over poor health-seeking behaviour among Nigerians, observing that many people only visit hospitals after complications have already developed.
He urged Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating balanced diets, reducing salt intake, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.
Citing international cardiovascular health recommendations, ChiKadibia advised adults to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week to lower their risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
He further called on parents to monitor their children’s sleep habits and limit excessive nighttime phone use to ensure they get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep daily.
Meanwhile, a hypertension patient, Mr. Muhammed Usman-Vulegbo, said he was shocked to be diagnosed with the condition while still in his mid-30s.
He said the diagnosis came after he began experiencing persistent numbness in his hands and legs, symptoms that eventually became severe enough to require emergency medical treatment.
Usman-Vulegbo described the financial burden of managing hypertension as overwhelming, explaining that treatment goes beyond medication to include maintaining a healthy diet.
“It wasn’t just about buying drugs. The doctors also advised me on what to eat and what to avoid. With the current economic situation, maintaining the recommended diet is another challenge entirely,” he said.
The civil servant appealed to government and non-governmental organisations to provide greater support for people living with hypertension and intensify public awareness campaigns on the disease.
“My father used to warn me because he had high blood pressure, but I believed it was something that affected people in their 50s or 60s. I never imagined it would happen to me while I was still young.
“We need more awareness because hypertension can affect people even in their late 20s,” he said.
Usman-Vulegbo said he has since embraced healthier habits, including getting adequate sleep, reducing stress and cutting back on late-night use of electronic devices.
He encouraged young Nigerians to monitor their blood pressure regularly and seek prompt medical attention whenever they experience unusual symptoms, stressing that early detection can save lives.
