Over eight in 10 with diabetes and hypertension are undiagnosed, raising concerns
KUALA LUMPUR: A blood pressure reading or blood test may flag a health problem. But many young people just shrug their shoulders and walk away.
They may believe all is well, but a major danger could be lurking round the corner.
A high proportion of young adults have diabetes and hypertension but they don’t know it.
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Recently, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told Parliament that an estimated 192,464 Malaysians aged 18 to 29 have diabetes and 339,853 have hypertension, based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023.
More than eight in 10 in both groups are undiagnosed.
This is a gap that public health expert Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming believes must be addressed.
“Screening is important, but it does not always translate into a confirmed diagnosis.
“Someone may have an abnormal result but not go for further testing.
“Sometimes, a borderline result is to be repeated.
“Without proper follow-up, people can fall through the cracks,” she said.
The NHMS 2023 figures also show that 5.9% of Malaysian adults had raised blood glucose but did not know they had diabetes while 11.9% had raised blood pressure, but did not know they had hypertension.
Another 18.1% had raised blood cholesterol but were unaware of it.
In terms of people with each condition, approximately 38% of adults with diabetes and 41% of those with hypertension were undiagnosed.
Dr Moy said one reason was that young adults often did not see themselves as being at risk.
“They may associate these conditions with older people and assume that, if they feel well, there is no need to get checked,” she said.
Many young adults, she said, also seldom visit healthcare facilities unless they are unwell.
“Awareness alone is not enough. People need to know what to do when a result is abnormal,” she said.
Dr Moy said screening should be matched to age and individual risk, rather than assuming every healthy young adult needs every blood test annually.
Malaysia’s clinical guidance recommends diabetes testing for asymptomatic adults from age 30, with earlier testing for people with specified risk factors.
Blood pressure checks should be part of routine healthcare, while cholesterol assessment should take into account age, family history and other cardiovascular risks.
Universiti Putra Malaysia nutrition expert Prof Dr Loh Su Peng said daily food choices could also influence long-term health risks, particularly when sugary drinks, large portions and salty or processed food became routine.
“For people who drink sweetened beverages regularly, one practical place to start is to make water or unsweetened drinks the default,” she said.
She also recommended the “quarter-quarter-half” approach: half the plate for vegetables and fruit, a quarter for carbohydrates and a quarter for protein.
“Healthy eating does not mean giving up the food we enjoy. It is about making more balanced choices and being consistent,” she said.
