A 20-year-old male in Ho Chi Minh City had been living with diabetes for five years but was not proactive about managing it until he experienced difficulty breathing. When he went to the hospital to have his blood pressure checked, it was found to be 160/90 mmHg. Dr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, a prominent vein specialist, criticized the patient for not taking his type 1 diabetes seriously and failing to seek treatment. The doctor warned that if left untreated, the patient could face heart failure and sudden death. The patient was prescribed medication and instructed to monitor his blood pressure regularly.
Another young man, 23 years old, experienced symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. When he went to the hospital, his blood pressure was discovered to be dangerously high, sometimes reaching 220 mmHg. Despite the doctor’s advice to be hospitalized for further evaluation, the patient hesitated and ultimately ended up in the emergency room with stage 5 kidney failure.
At People’s Hospital 115, a 30-year-old male patient was admitted with a massive hemorrhage in his brain, leading to a coma and extremely high blood pressure. His family was unaware of his condition prior to this emergency. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often referred to as a “silent killer” as it often presents with no symptoms. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 billion people worldwide have high blood pressure, with the numbers increasing in developing countries like Vietnam.
In Vietnam, over 12 million people have hypertension, with a significant number unaware of their condition or not receiving effective treatment. Hypertension is now affecting younger populations, with 10-15% of patients under 30 years old. It is important for young people to be proactive about monitoring their blood pressure and making lifestyle changes to reduce their risk.
The main cause of high blood pressure is atherosclerosis, where cholesterol plaques build up in the arteries, causing them to harden and increase blood pressure. Lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity, high sodium intake, and obesity can also contribute to hypertension. Proactive measures, such as regular exercise, a low-salt diet, and maintaining a healthy weight, can help prevent high blood pressure in young people. Additionally, those with a family history of hypertension should be vigilant about monitoring their blood pressure and seeking medical attention if needed.