Why some young adults need 3 or more BP medicines: Doctor explains the hidden condition many don’t know they have
Published on: May 23, 2026, 7 a.m. | Source: Times of India
High blood pressure is often seen as a problem linked with old age. But cardiologists across India are now seeing a worrying trend: people in their 20s and 30s needing two, three, or even four medicines just to keep their blood pressure under control.What makes the situation more concerning is that many of these young adults do not fit the traditional image of someone with heart disease. Some are working professionals, some exercise occasionally, and many discover the problem only after repeated headaches, fatigue, or a routine health check-up.Doctors say the answer may not always lie in the heart alone. In several cases, the real problem starts during sleep.According to Dr M Sudhakar Rao, obesity and obstructive sleep apnea are emerging as major hidden reasons behind resistant hypertension in younger adults. And unless the root cause is identified, blood pressure medicines alone may not fully solve the issue.A growing body of evidence supports this concern. The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine explains that untreated sleep apnea can increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and metabolic disorders.
