Tag: hypertension

Hypertension Quietly Damaging Hearts Of Young Adults

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 May -- High blood pressure is no longer a condition associated mainly with older adults, with medical experts warning that more young Malaysians are now developing hypertension and early signs of heart damage due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. In Malaysia, nearly one in three adults has hypertension, with many remaining unaware of their condition that often begins with vague symptoms, resulting in hidden damage building up over time. According to Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist Dr Gary Lee Chin Keong when blood pressure remains high over an extended time, the heart is forced to work harder to circulate blood through the body. He explains that the heart will adapt by becoming thicker and stronger, however, it is not beneficial in the long run as the constant strain causes the heart muscle to stiffen, reducing its ability to fill and pump efficiently. “One of the earliest signs of damage is left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a condition involving the thickening of the heart’s main pumping chamber, which can reduce the heart’s ability to fill and pump blood efficiently. "Unlike skeletal muscle, this thickening is not beneficial in the long run. The constant strain causes the heart muscle to stiffen,” he said in a statement. Dr Gary said LVH can develop silently for years and is often only detected through tests such as echocardiograms, which allow doctors to identify structural changes in the heart. He said symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness and fainting are frequently dismissed as stress, fatigue or indigestion, causing many patients to seek treatment only after complications become more serious. According to him, uncontrolled hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart failure, stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. Dr Gary also highlighted a growing trend of younger Malaysians being diagnosed with hypertension and heart disease, driven largely by modern lifestyles. “About 20 years ago, hypertension was mostly thought to be a problem for older people. Today, I have patients who are only in their 20s or 30s. "This trend is caused by long working hours, chronic stress, inadequate sleep, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive salt intake and high consumption of processed foods. Obesity and diabetes further increase the risk, creating a 'dangerous cluster' of cardiovascular risk factors,” he said. Dr Gary encourages Malaysians to begin monitoring their health indicators, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body weight, from as early as their 20s. He also said early detection and treatment can help slow or partially reverse damage to the heart through medication, healthier diets, exercise, weight control, smoking cessation and regular medical follow-ups. “Don’t wait for symptoms to tell you something is wrong. The earlier you detect high blood pressure, the better your chances of protecting your heart,” he added. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 May — High blood pressure is no longer a condition associated mainly with older adults, with medical experts warning that more young Malaysians are now developing hypertension and early signs of heart damage due to unhealthy lifestyle habits. In Malaysia, nearly one in three adults has hypertension, with many remaining unaware of […]