06 Nov Young Adults with Hypertension at Higher Risk of Stroke and Heart Failure

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Yano

Yuichiro Yano MD PhD
Assistant Professor in Community and Family Medicine
Duke University

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: New blood pressure guidelines, issued in 2017 in the US, lowered the blood pressure thresholds for hypertension from systolic blood pressure/diastolic ≥140/90 mm Hg to systolic/diastolic ≥130/80 mm Hg. This change increased the prevalence of hypertension two- to three-fold among young adults. The guidelines also newly defined elevated blood pressure as, 120-129 mmHg systolic blood pressure over 80 mmHg diastolic or less. However, no study investigated that high blood pressure, as defined by the new criteria, is something that younger people should be concerned about as a potential precursor to serious problems.

Our study is among the first to report that people younger than age 40 who have elevated blood pressure or hypertension are at increased risk of heart failure, strokes and blood vessel blockages as they age.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? 

Response: Among young adults, those with elevated blood pressure or hypertension before age 40, as defined by the 2017 guidelines, had significantly higher risk for subsequent heart/stroke events, compared to those with normal blood pressure before age 40. The 2017 guidelines blood pressure classification system could help identify young adults at higher risk for heart/stroke event.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report? 

Response: Clinical trials are needed to determine if non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments benefit can be achieved in young adults with elevated blood pressure or hypertension. 

I have no disclosure related to this project.

Citation:

Yano Y, Reis JP, Colangelo LA, et al. Association of Blood Pressure Classification in Young Adults Using the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure Guideline With Cardiovascular Events Later in Life. JAMA. 2018;320(17):1774–1782. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.13551

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Last Updated on November 6, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD