[Click! Health] Be Careful of Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia from a Young Age

Increasing Stress Poses Health Risks for 2030s
Attention Needed for Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Anemia, Depression, and Fatigue

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Recently, warning signs have been flashing regarding the health of young people, who were previously thought to have no significant health issues. As cases of stress from employment and academic pressures increase, concerns about the health status of those in their 20s and 30s are growing, with an increase in patients suffering from hypertension and hyperlipidemia?conditions once considered "adult diseases"?due to irregular eating habits and frequent drinking. Professor Sangmin Park of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital warned, "If young people neglect their health using youth as an excuse, it can lead to chronic diseases. In particular, five diseases?hypertension, hyperlipidemia, anemia, depression, and fatigue?are representative health problems that can appear from the 20s and 30s."

Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure rises above normal levels. Normal blood pressure is below 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic, but if systolic pressure exceeds 140 mmHg or diastolic pressure exceeds 90 mmHg, it is considered hypertension. The range between normal and hypertensive blood pressure is called borderline hypertension. Hypertension can cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. According to a study involving 2.5 million people in their 20s and 30s in Korea, those with blood pressure above 130 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic had about a 20% increased risk of heart disease and stroke, with the risk increasing further as blood pressure rises.

Hypertension is controlled through medication. Professor Park emphasized, "Some young patients worry about having to take blood pressure medication for life once they start, but the most important thing is to control blood pressure to normal levels." Besides medication, maintaining normal blood pressure can also be achieved through lifestyle improvements such as avoiding salty soups, maintaining an appropriate weight, exercising, moderating alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking.

Hyperlipidemia is diagnosed when any one of the four blood test values?total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or low-density lipoprotein (LDL)?shows abnormal results. Even in people in their 20s and 30s, cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dL have been linked to increased cardiovascular risk. However, if levels return to normal, the risk also returns to normal.

Dyslipidemia occurs more frequently in women than men and carries a higher risk of related diseases. Professor Park advised, "Men are recommended to undergo dyslipidemia screening every four years starting from their mid-20s." For women, dyslipidemia screening is included in the national health checkup from age 40.

Anemia is also diagnosed through blood tests. It is diagnosed when hemoglobin levels fall below 12 g/dL in women and 13 g/dL in men. It is more common in women, with about one in ten women in their 20s and 30s known to have anemia.

The most common iron deficiency anemia in women can be easily treated with iron supplements. Taking iron supplements for 2 to 3 months can resolve the condition. Anemia can cause fatigue and, if prolonged, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Once anemia is detected, iron supplements should be taken promptly to restore normal hemoglobin levels.

Depression is generally suspected when feelings of sadness, despair, or depression persist for more than two weeks to the extent that daily life is affected. However, trying to handle it alone can make things worse, so medical consultation is advised if symptoms appear. Since August 2020, depression screening has been introduced in the national health checkup, which is expected to enable early detection.

Young people with suspected depression symptoms often hesitate to visit medical facilities due to concerns about potential disadvantages in education or employment. Professor Park stated, "Many patients actually worry about this when visiting hospitals," but he assured, "According to medical law, mental health-related medical records cannot be accessed or circulated without the patient's consent, so there is no need to worry."

Professor Sangmin Park, Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital (Photo by Seoul National University Hospital)

Chronic fatigue has also recently been increasingly reported by young people. When visiting a hospital, blood tests are first conducted to check for anemia, liver function decline, endocrine problems, and thyroid dysfunction. If tuberculosis infection is suspected, a chest X-ray may also be performed. However, in most cases, blood tests and chest X-rays show normal results, and in such cases, sleep or emotional issues are examined. If everything is normal, 'physical fitness decline' is considered the main cause.

Professor Park explained, "Young people often bear excessive work or stress relative to their physical capacity. In such cases, autonomic nervous system dysfunction can manifest as functional gastrointestinal disorders, dizziness, numbness in hands and feet, and chronic fatigue." He added, "There is no medication for chronic fatigue. It is important to acknowledge physical limits and reset priorities by temporarily delegating or giving up tasks to focus on truly important matters." He explained that after reducing work and stress to a level manageable by one's physical capacity, physical fitness should be gradually restored through exercise. Usually, exercising for about 3 to 6 months can improve physical fitness and restore autonomic nervous system function.