Battling Hypertension in Your 20’s
Hypertension commonly referred to as high blood pressure or high bp was once considered an old man's fate. But today there has been a steady rise in the number of 20 and 30 year olds being diagnosed with high bp.
This rise is concerning because early onset hypertension increases the risk of heart diseases, stroke or kidney failure later in life. A study done by the National Library of Medicine stated that prevalence rates in young adults range from 21% to 24.8%, with a large portion going untreated. This shift directly affects:
- Employees dealing with workplace stress and unhealthy routines
- HR teams facing higher medical claims and burnout cases in employees
- Companies battling low productivity and higher absenteeism
In a corporate environment, where hours of screentime, stressful deadlines and unhealthy personal care habits are the norm, hypertension in young adults is becoming an important wellness and benefits issue.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a chronic medical condition where the pressure of blood against the artery walls is consistently too high. Over time this increased pressure can weaken the blood vessels and impact vital organs.
| Aspect |
Primary Hypertension |
Secondary Hypertension |
| Onset |
Develops gradually |
Often develops suddenly |
| Cause |
Has no single identifiable cause |
Caused by underlying medical issues |
| Underlying conditions |
Usually not linked to another disease |
Can occur due to kidney problems, thyroid issues, or certain medications |
| Age group |
More common in middle-aged and older adults |
More common among younger adults |
Why are young employees getting it?
- High workload and increasing stress levels
- Inconsistent sleep patterns
- High caffeine consumption
- High levels of processed food consumption
- Lack of physical activity
- Stress and burnout
This disease develops gradually which is why regular check-ups and workplace health monitoring are essential
Why is it critical now?
Young adults today have less physical activity and more chronic stress. This is creating a direct pathway to hypertension (high bp). Globally, employees between the ages of 20-35 now account for a major part of hypertension related medical claims, highlighting how early this condition is arising.
Lifestyle shifts like food delivery culture, long office hours, late night screen time have accelerated these health claims.
How can corporate programs help?
Corporate wellness programs are structured company sponsored and supported health initiatives that help their employees stay mentally and physically healthy. These initiatives can include:
- Annual health screening and check-ups
- Fitness challenges
- Stress management sessions
- Access to nutrition counselling
- Access to mental health professionals
How does it benefit employees?
- Helps detect diseases early on
- Reduce and control stress
- Encourage healthy daily habits
- Improve sleep cycles
- Provide access to required medical professionals
How does it benefit companies?
- Reduce medical claims
- Manage burnouts
- Boost employee productivity
- Attract and retain young talent
A well designed employee wellness program not only prevents hypertension but also helps employees lead healthier lives both inside and outside the workplace.
Why should HRs be concerned about workplace hypertension?
While high blood pressure is a health concern, it can also contribute to workplace stress on both employers and employees alike. By knowing the various ways high blood pressure affects your company it allows for better management of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that HR Managers can implement.
| Impact Area |
Effect of Unmanaged Hypertension |
| Productivity |
Lowered concentration and delays in the completion of tasks |
| Absenteeism |
Nearly twice as many sick days compared to employees with controlled hypertension |
| Healthcare Costs |
Increased expenses for hospital stays, medical visits, and medications |
| Team Effectiveness |
Poor resilience, higher burnout levels, and difficulty accomplishing long-term goals |
| Employer Branding |
The company may be perceived as less responsible, impacting its ability to attract young adults |
In what ways can HR address this
- Conduct health surveys and analyze claims data to figure out staff needs.
- Look for areas where ongoing medical conditions and hypertension assistance are lacking in the overall corporate wellness, group medical insurance, and mental health initiatives presently in place.
- Increase coverage through insurance that includes covering medical examinations, ongoing treatment, and hypertension tests; implement wellness programs including nutrition counseling and fitness challenges.
- Take preventive actions, such as conducting yearly blood pressure tests and health camps which provide tips on improving daily routines.
- Evaluate staff feedback, claims, and participation in order to continually improve your programs.
What do employees want today?
Today's generation of employees opt for benefits that are adaptable, simple to use, and that can be customized to suit their individual requirements.
| Employee Preferences |
Key Features |
| Group health insurance coverage |
Includes coverage for mental health, chronic disease management, and preventive care |
| Personalization |
Optional solutions such as therapy reimbursement, fitness allowances, and wellness wallets |
| Preventive care |
Routine medical screenings and health coaching |
| Transparent & quick claims |
Clear plans with simple and fast claim processes |
Case example
A company saw an increase in the sick leaves being taken, with complaints of fatigue and headaches by their employees. The HR went on to conduct various internal surveys which revealed high levels of stress and poor sleep habits among their employees. The company mandated health screenings, with blood pressure checks, and also introduced wellness programs that included virtual sessions on managing stress and nutrition. Group health insurance policies were enhanced to provide better coverage against their struggles with hypertension. Within a year, unplanned sick days decreased drastically, and engagement scores as well as health claims saw an improvement. Eventually, both employees and the company reputation benefited.
Final takeaway
Corporate companies by investing into preventative healthcare and improving their employee benefits not only protects their employees’ health but also creates a work environment where the future workforce can be healthy and productive. HR professionals may address the detrimental effects that hypertension plays on their staff through the use of efficient programs and preventative actions.