The Gauteng Department of Health has raised alarm over a sharp increase in hypertension cases among adults under 45, revealing that more than 26,000 young people across the province were diagnosed with the “silent killer” in the past financial year alone.
According to the department, Gauteng recorded 69,125 new hypertension cases between April 2025 and March 2026, with 26,088 of those cases involving adults aged between 18 and 44.
Health officials warned that hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, remains one of the leading causes of strokes, heart disease, kidney failure and premature death, often developing without noticeable symptoms.
Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the growing number of younger adults being diagnosed was deeply concerning.
“Hypertension frequently presents without symptoms, which is why routine screening remains essential. Many residents only discover they have high blood pressure after developing severe complications,” said Mabona.
The department attributed the increase in cases among younger adults to unhealthy eating habits, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and a lack of physical exercise.
The figures were released as part of Gauteng’s commemoration of World Hypertension Day, observed annually on May 17. This year’s theme, “Controlling Hypertension Together!”, focuses on improving awareness, prevention, early detection and effective management of hypertension.
As part of efforts to strengthen early detection, the department screened approximately 8.7 million adults for hypertension across Gauteng during the 2025/26 financial year.
“In the 2025/26 financial year, approximately 8.7 million adults were screened for hypertension across Gauteng. Public healthcare facilities continue to provide free blood pressure screening and integrated chronic disease management services,” Mabona said.
The department said many residents remained unaware of their blood pressure status, resulting in delayed diagnoses and severe medical complications such as strokes and heart attacks.
Ward-Based Outreach Teams and Community Health Workers have continued conducting awareness campaigns across communities to encourage residents to undergo regular blood pressure screening and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Residents were urged to exercise regularly, reduce salt intake, stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption to reduce their risk of developing hypertension.
The department also encouraged people diagnosed with hypertension to take their medication consistently and make use of the Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution Programme, which allows patients to collect chronic medication closer to their homes and avoid long queues at healthcare facilities.
The Star