Just when it feels like there are already enough things on the millennial worry list, from student debt and rising living costs to burnout and trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance, experts say hypertension may be another issue quietly joining that list.
Ahead of World Hypertension Day on 17 May, health experts are drawing attention to a concerning shift in high blood pressure diagnoses, where the disease is no longer confined to older adults and is increasingly affecting younger South Africans. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, has long been associated with older adults, but research increasingly shows that younger adults are being affected far more than previously thought.
A 2025 study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension found that 24% of South Africans aged between 24 and 40 reported having hypertension, yet only 16.8% had good knowledge of the condition. This gap highlights a growing concern that many young adults may be living with elevated blood pressure without realising it.
Several modern lifestyle factors are contributing to this shift. Long working hours, financial pressure, highly processed convenience foods, limited time for exercise and the constant mental load that often comes with balancing careers, families and daily responsibilities can all contribute to rising blood pressure levels.
“One of the biggest challenges with hypertension in younger adults is that it often goes unnoticed. People may feel healthy and assume their risk is low, yet elevated blood pressure can already be placing strain on the heart and blood vessels,” says Dr Themba Hadebe, Clinical Executive at Bonitas Medical Fund. “The reality is that high blood pressure can develop silently for years and may only be detected during routine screening.”
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The good news, says Hadebe, is that hypertension is one of the most manageable chronic health conditions when it is detected early. With proper monitoring, lifestyle adjustments and, where necessary, medication, many people can control it and significantly reduce the risk of serious complications later in life.
What you need to know about hypertension
Hypertension occurs when the force of blood pushing against artery walls remains consistently too high. Over time, this increased pressure can damage blood vessels and strain major organs. However, things get a bit trickier when we start asking how to spot hypertension and its symptoms. Often called a “silent condition”, hypertension for many people results in experiencing no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages.
When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Frequent headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Occasional nosebleeds
Because these symptoms can easily be dismissed as stress or fatigue from dehydration, many people only discover they have high blood pressure during a routine medical check. But, if left unmanaged, hypertension can have serious long-term health consequences, significantly increasing the risk of heart disease and heart failure. It is also one of the leading causes of stroke.
High blood pressure can also damage the kidneys, affect vision by damaging the small blood vessels in the eyes and weaken arteries throughout the body, increasing the risk of circulation problems and aneurysms.
“The challenge with hypertension is that damage can occur long before a person feels unwell,” explains Hadebe. “This is why early detection and consistent management are critical.”
What young adults can do about it now
For young adults juggling careers and families, preventative healthcare can easily fall down the priority list, but all it takes is only a few minutes and a simple blood pressure check to get important insight into your overall health. Blood pressure screenings can be done during routine GP visits, at many pharmacies or through workplace wellness programmes. They’re even more important for those with a family history of hypertension and who have other risk factors present, like smoking, obesity, diabetes, high stress levels or sedentary lifestyles.
You can also play a proactive role in keeping blood pressure in check by making a few lifestyle adjustments. Reducing your salt intake, doing your best to maintain a healthy weight, moving and exercising regularly, keep alcohol intake to a minimum and cutting out smoking completely are all a good start.
“Hypertension is not something that should cause panic, but it is something that should be taken seriously,” says Hadebe. “Depending on their benefit option, Bonitas Medical Fund members have access to preventative screening benefits, GP consultations and chronic condition management support that assists with the diagnosis and ongoing management of conditions such as hypertension.”