Year: 2025 | Month: December | Volume: 15 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 167-180
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20251222
Prevalence of Hypertension Among Young Adults: A Narrative Review
Dr. Diksha Datt1, Dr. Nandini Sharma2
1MD student, Department of Community Medicine, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
2Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Diksha Datt
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a growing global health concern, with its prevalence increasing among young adults. Despite being a significant risk factor for myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction and cerebrovascular accidents, hypertension remains under-diagnosed and inadequately managed in this demographic. Understanding its prevalence, risk factors, and trends across different regions is essential for effective prevention and management strategies.
Method: A narrative review has been conducted by analyzing studies published between 2011 and 2024 from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. Keywords like “hypertension,” “prevalence of hypertension,” and “hypertension in young adults” were used during search. Studies from multiple countries were reviewed to assess prevalence trends, risk factors, gender disparities, and regional variations.
Results: The prevalence of hypertension among young adults has shown a rising trend across multiple countries. In India, hypertension prevalence increased from 13.8% in 2015 to 18.3% in 2020. Regional disparities have been observed, with regards to the contributing factors such as obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyles, and high salt intake. In Bangladesh, the prevalence was 9.7% in 2020, while >Indonesia showed an increase from 25.8% in 2013 to 34.1% in 2018, with a large proportion of undiagnosed cases. In Nigeria in 2022, hypertension prevalence was 21%, with a higher burden in women (23.4%) than in men (18.8%). In the United States, hypertension prevalence among young adults was 22.4% in 2020, with a notable gender gap (31.2% in men vs. 13.0% in women). Longitudinal data revealed an increase in hypertension from 41.7% in 2013-2014 to 45.4% in 2017-2018, along with significant racial disparities. In addition, common risk factors across the studies included smoking, obesity, high salt intake, sedentary behavior, stress, and poor sleep patterns, with regional differences in their impact.
Conclusion: Hypertension among young adults is an increasing public health concern, with prevalence rising across different regions. The exceptionally high rates reported in some parts of India require further investigation to understand potential regional or methodological variations. Key risk factors, such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, highlight the urgent need for early screening, preventive interventions, and lifestyle modifications to mitigate the growing hypertension burden in younger populations. Tackling differences in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment is vital for improving cardiovascular health outcomes globally.
Key words: Countries, Global Health, Hypertension Prevalence, Risk factors, Young Adults.