Dhaka: Unhealthy lifestyles, poor food habits, stress, lack of exercise, sleep disruption, and excessive screen time are leading to hypertension alarmingly among people, particularly youths.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, health experts highlight a worrying trend where the consumption of fruits and vegetables among youths is declining, while smoking, drug use, air pollution, and noise pollution are emerging as significant causes for rising hypertension.
Talking to BSS on the occasion of World Hypertension Day, noted physician and professor of medicine Dr. Abul Kalam Azad revealed that one in every five young people in Bangladesh is currently affected by high blood pressure. Foods such as chips, pickles, burgers, pizza, soft drinks, and foods high in sugar and salt are contributing to increased blood pressure among the youth. Dr. Azad, who is also the pro-VC of BMU, warned that people who work sitting for long periods are at greater risk of developing hypertension.
Mugda Medical College Vice-Principal Professor Dr. Mohammad Shahabul Huda Chowdhury expressed concern over the increasing number of young professionals affected by high blood pressure, noting that more than half of the people in the 50-year age group are either suffering from hypertension or are at risk of developing it.
Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, head of the Epidemiology and Research Department at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, stressed that hypertension and heart disease are no longer limited to older adults, as similar trends are now being observed among younger people. He suggested that healthier diets, lifestyle changes, and regular blood pressure testing could help reduce the growing prevalence of hypertension among the younger population.
Health experts urged individuals not to wait for symptoms before seeking medical attention, emphasizing that regular blood pressure checks, healthy eating habits, stress management, exercise, and proper sleep can save lives and prevent long-term complications.
Dr. Md. Hasan Farooq Bhuiyan, a cardiologist at NICVD, noted that more young adults are developing high blood pressure due to unhealthy routines, physical inactivity, and rising mental stress. He mentioned that over 90 percent of hypertension cases are idiopathic, with a smaller number linked to conditions such as kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or pregnancy-related complications.
Dr. Hasan highlighted the role of fast food in contributing to hypertension, noting that restaurants and roadside eateries often reuse cooking oil multiple times, producing unhealthy fats that damage blood vessels and increase cholesterol levels. He warned that reheated oil creates harmful fats that contribute to blood vessel stiffness and increased cardiovascular risks.
Additionally, Dr. Hasan pointed out how changing work culture, especially the rise of work-from-home practices, has disrupted sleeping habits and biological rhythms. Many people now stay awake late at night, spend long hours in front of screens, and fail to get enough sleep, all of which affect hormonal balance and gradually increase blood pressure.
He also explained that younger generations are becoming less physically active than previous generations, with outdoor activities being replaced by mobile phone use, online gaming, and social media. This sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
Stress and anxiety are significant contributors to hypertension. Dr. Hasan explained that mental pressure triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that directly increases blood pressure. Stress-related hypertension affects not only office workers dealing with deadlines and job pressure but also homemakers managing family responsibilities and childcare.
Describing hypertension as a “silent killer,” Dr. Hasan warned that the disease often develops without noticeable symptoms while silently damaging the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. He emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups to prevent severe complications associated with uncontrolled hypertension.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 20 percent of adults in Bangladesh are suffering from hypertension. The WHO’s 2025 report stated that 283,800 people in Bangladesh died from heart disease-related illnesses in 2024, with 52 percent of those deaths linked to high blood pressure.
The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-2018 found that nearly 40 percent of people aged 35 and above have hypertension, compared to 26 percent in 2011. Among men, the rate increased from 20 percent to 34 percent, while among women it rose from 32 percent to 45 percent. The survey also revealed that 51 percent of women and 67 percent of men with hypertension are unaware of their condition.
High blood pressure is now one of the top three causes of death and disability in Bangladesh. Every year, around 277,000 people in the country die from heart disease-related illnesses, with hypertension being a leading cause. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025, hypertension ranks first among the top 10 diseases in the country.