Hypertension In Young Adulthood Associated With Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Hypertension is defined as blood pressure that is above 130/80, and it is considered severe when it is above 180/120. According to a new study, hypertension in young adulthood may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease events by up to 15%.

For their study, researchers from Duke University used data from 3,394 people who participated in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study. Participants had an average age of 25 at the beginning of the study. Systolic blood pressure was measured at baseline and at years 2, 5, 7, and 10. Participants were followed for an average of 20 years and cardiovascular disease events and all-cause mortality were reported at the end of the study.

Every 3.6 mm increase in systolic blood pressure during young adulthood was found to be associated with a 15% increased risk of a cardiovascular disease event later in life. These findings held regardless of averaged blood pressure levels during young adulthood and any single systolic blood pressure measurement during middle age.

The study was published online ahead of print on January 22, 2020 in the journal JAMA Cardiology.