Adolescent High Blood Pressure Linked to Increased Future Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Research Highlights the Need for Early Intervention to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Studies have revealed a concerning association between high blood pressure during adolescence and an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and heart failure, in the future. As a result, experts emphasize the importance of implementing preventive measures, such as regular blood pressure screenings and close monitoring of high-risk groups, to mitigate these risks.
In a recent publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a large-scale study investigating the long-term impact of high blood pressure in adolescence on future cardiovascular health was featured (10.7326/M23-0112).
While high blood pressure is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death on a global scale, prior research has primarily focused on middle-aged and elderly individuals. This emphasis is due to the fact that most cardiovascular events occur after middle age. Consequently, the understanding of how adolescent blood pressure affects future cardiovascular disease remains limited.
Recognizing this gap in knowledge, a research team led by Professor Helene Rietz from Umea Medical School in Sweden conducted an extensive follow-up study involving 1,366,519 male participants with an average age of 18.3 years. The study extended over an average of 35.9 years.
The findings revealed that 28.8% of the participants exhibited blood pressure levels above the standard range (120-129/80mmHg), while a staggering 53.7% demonstrated high blood pressure levels (≥130/80mmHg).
Notably, elevated blood pressure during adolescence had a significant impact on future cardiovascular risk. Adolescents classified as having stage 1 isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) exhibited a 1.15-fold increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, while those with stage 1 isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) had a 1.23-fold higher risk.
Furthermore, the risk of future cardiovascular disease increased by 1.32 times for stage 1 combined hypertension (SDH), 1.31 times for stage 2 isolated systolic hypertension, and 1.55 times for stage 2 isolated diastolic hypertension.
Interestingly, individuals diagnosed with stage 2 combined hypertension had a particularly elevated risk, with the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease increasing by as much as 1.71 times.
The researchers underscored the importance of early intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease based on these findings. Professor Helen Ritz stated, “In a comprehensive follow-up study spanning up to five decades, we found that fluctuations in blood pressure during adolescence pose a significant threat to cardiovascular health. This highlights the possibility of early identification and intervention to prevent future cardiovascular disease.”
Research has shown that if you develop high blood pressure even briefly during adolescence, your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction or heart failure increases significantly in the future.
Accordingly, experts believe that a strategy should be developed to prevent this in advance by measuring blood pressure in young adults as well as closely monitoring risk groups.
Research has shown that fluctuations in blood pressure during adolescence have a significant impact on the risk of cardiovascular disease in the future.
On the 25th local time, Annals of Internal Medicine published the results of a large-scale study on the effect of high blood pressure in adolescence on future cardiovascular risk (10.7326 / M23-0112).
High blood pressure is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature death worldwide, but it is true that until now research on the relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular events has focused on middle-aged and elderly people .
As most cardiovascular events occur after middle age, research also points towards this. As a result, there is still weak evidence on how adolescent blood pressure affects future cardiovascular disease.
This is also the background of the research carried out by the research team led by Professor Helene Rietz at Umea Medical School in Sweden. This is to create evidence on how blood pressure in adolescence affects cardiovascular risk.
Accordingly, the researchers conducted a follow-up study on 1,366,519 men with an average age of 18.3 years who enlisted in the military for an average of 35.9 years.
As a result, 28.8% of them were classified as having blood pressure above the standard (120-129/80mmHg), and a staggering 53.7% were classified as having high blood pressure (≥130/80mmHg).
As such, the increase in blood pressure had a significant impact on their future cardiovascular risk.
In fact, adolescents classified as stage 1 isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) had a 1.15-fold increased risk of developing future cardiovascular disease, and those with stage 1 isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) had a 1.23-fold risk higher.
In addition, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease increased 1.32 times for stage 1 combined hypertension (SDH), 1.31 times for stage 2 isolated systolic hypertension, and 1.55 times for stage 2 isolated diastolic hypertension.
Specifically, in the case of stage 2 combined hypertension, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease tended to increase by as much as 1.71 times.
The researchers explained that these findings show the need for early intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Professor Helen Ritz said, “In a follow-up study of up to 50 years, we found that fluctuations in adolescent blood pressure are very threatening to cardiovascular health. This shows that early intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease is possible if they are identified early. ” he said.
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