Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Approach in Group 5 Pulmonary Hypertension
Causes Of High Blood Pressure In Young Adults
Although people over 65 years old are more at risk for high blood pressure, it also affects about 1 in 8 adults between 20 and 40 years of age.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is caused by a consistently high force of blood traveling through your arteries. This is often due to narrowing of your arteries, which impedes blood flow.
Your blood pressure usually rises as you get older, so increasing age is a major risk factor for hypertension. But younger adults can also develop high blood pressure due to factors such as weight, diet, and genetics.
If high blood pressure isn't lowered through lifestyle changes and medications, it may damage your blood vessels as well as your heart, brain, and other organs. High blood pressure may also put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Let's go over what may cause high blood pressure in young adults, the symptoms to be aware of, how it's treated, and more.
There are many potential causes of high blood pressure in young adults. These include:
High blood pressure often does not cause symptoms, which is why it's called a "silent killer." If you're at risk of developing high blood pressure, it's important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
If there are symptoms of high blood pressure in young adults, they may include:
Severe hypertension may also cause the following symptoms:
If high blood pressure isn't treated, it may lead to serious complications.
A large 2023 study involving more than 1.3 million males found that those who had high blood pressure at 18 years old were more likely to experience a cardiovascular event (such as a stroke or heart attack) at midlife than those who had typical blood pressure at age 18.
In addition to cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure in young adults may lead to:
Because the early stages of high blood pressure often have no symptoms, the AHA recommends that all adults ages 20 years and older have their blood pressure checked once per year.
You should check your blood pressure more often if a close family member has hypertension or if you have a condition that increases your risk.
If you do have symptoms of high blood pressure, see a doctor to determine the cause.
You should also talk with a doctor about ways to lower your blood pressure if you check it at home and find that it's consistently elevated.
To diagnose high blood pressure, a healthcare professional will measure your blood pressure using a cuff placed around your upper arm.
A doctor may also recommend that you use a blood pressure monitor at home to check your blood pressure at various times during the day.
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers, which are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg):
Healthy blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg, or "120 over 80." The first stage of high blood pressure involves a systolic value of 130 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic value of 80 to 89 mm Hg.
If your blood pressure is high, a doctor may order more tests to determine the cause and to find out whether you have any organ damage. These tests may include:
A doctor will usually first recommend healthy lifestyle changes to help lower high blood pressure in young adults.
If your blood pressure level is still high after you've made these changes, a doctor may prescribe the following medications to help lower it:
A healthy lifestyle that includes the following habits may help lower high blood pressure:
High blood pressure (hypertension) is more common in older adults, but it can affect young adults as well.
There are often no symptoms in the early stages of high blood pressure, so if you're a young adult and have any known risk factors, it's important to check your blood pressure regularly to avoid serious cardiovascular complications such as a stroke or heart attack.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits may help keep your blood pressure in the normal range.
Hypertension: Why Men Face Higher Rates Of High Blood Pressure Than Women?
Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure (BP), is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Often dubbed the silent killer, hypertension typically presents no symptoms until complications arise, making it a particularly insidious health issue. HTN is a major preventable cause of cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disease. Hypertension is known as the silent killer as people have no symptoms of hypertension till, they develop some complications.
While hypertension affects both sexes, men under the age of 65 exhibit a higher predisposition compared to women, a trend particularly pronounced among younger demographics. This gender disparity stems from a complex interplay of biological and behavioural factors, says Dr C Sridevi, consultant cardiologist, DPU super speciality hospital, Pimpri, Pune
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Biologically, women benefit from protective mechanisms against hypertension, primarily attributed to sex hormones and chromosomal differences, says Dr Sridevi. Estrogen, in particular, exerts vasodilatory effects that help maintain lower BP levels in premenopausal women. As women transition through menopause, however, hormonal changes diminish these protective effects, narrowing the gap in hypertension prevalence between genders.
Here are the reasons why men face higher rates of hypertension than women suggested by Dr Sridevi.
Behavioural factors
Smoking: Higher smoking rates in men contribute to increased hypertension by directly raising BP and accelerating atherosclerosis.
Body mass index (BMI): Men typically have higher BMIs, which is associated with elevated BP and a greater risk of developing hypertension.
Challenges in hypertension management
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Lack of awareness: Approximately 46 percent of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition, highlighting a significant gap in detection and diagnosis, says Dr Sridevi.
Control rates: Among those diagnosed with hypertension, only 21 percent manage to control their BP effectively.
Strategies for hypertension management
Lifestyle modifications
Smoking cessation: Eliminating smoking is crucial for lowering BP and reducing cardiovascular risks.
Weight management: Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly lower BP.
Stress management: Techniques such as meditation, yoga, and counseling can help manage stress levels, which in turn helps control BP.
Physical activity: Regular exercise is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health and reducing BP.
Dietary adjustments: Reducing salt intake, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and limiting alcohol consumption are vital steps.
Managing comorbid conditions
Controlling other risk factors such as diabetes and high cholesterol is crucial for comprehensive hypertension management, says Dr Sridevi.
Regular check-ups are necessary to detect and treat complications involving the heart, brain, eyes, and kidneys.
Consequences of uncontrolled hypertension
Cardiovascular disease: Uncontrolled hypertension significantly increases the risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure, says Dr Sridevi.
Cerebrovascular disease: Elevated BP is a major risk factor for stroke and other cerebrovascular events.
Peripheral artery disease: Hypertension can lead to reduced blood flow and complications in peripheral arteries.
Renal disease: Chronic high BP can cause kidney damage and lead to renal disease or failure.
Ocular complications: Hypertension can affect the eyes, leading to conditions such as hypertensive retinopathy, which can impair vision.
Nivedita is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on health, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. Views expressed are personal.
What Are The Ranges Of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)?
Ranges of hypertension (high blood pressure) include elevated, stage 1, stage 2, and hypertensive crisis. A high blood pressure is typically higher than 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
Blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries that deliver blood to vital organs. A blood pressure reading is one of the first things that happens during a check-up. A healthcare provider uses a cuff that inflates to detect blood pressure. You can also measure blood pressure at home.
The problem with high blood pressure is that the vast majority of people don't experience symptoms. This is the reason high blood pressure has been called "the silent killer." Read on to learn more about the ranges of hypertension and their numbers.
Blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries that drive blood throughout the body. The heart creates just enough blood pressure to pump blood to vital organs without damaging your arteries over time at normal levels. Blood pressure is measured with two key metrics: a top number called systolic blood pressure and a bottom number called diastolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the peak pressure during a heartbeat while the heart is "squeezing." Diastolic blood pressure is the lowest pressure between two heartbeats while the heart is "relaxed." A blood pressure of 120 systolic and 80 diastolic reads as "120 over 80" or "120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)." Mercury was used in early blood pressure gauges and remains the standard unit of measurement. A healthy blood pressure range is below 120/80 mm Hg and above 90/60 mm Hg. It's important to keep your systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a normal range. The focus is often on your systolic blood pressure. It's a well-known risk factor for heart disease. The risk of death from heart disease or stroke doubles with every increase by 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a medical condition in which your blood pressure numbers are consistently above normal. Blood pressure naturally rises and falls throughout the day. It could go up if you have anxiety around healthcare providers, or "white-coat hypertension." You could also have "masked hypertension." This happens if your blood pressure is normal during a check-up but becomes higher later at work or home. It's important to confirm a diagnosis of elevated or high blood pressure. Yours will need to be measured with a blood pressure cuff multiple times under controlled conditions. A healthcare provider can detect and treat high blood pressure depending on what stage you're in. Elevated Elevated blood pressure is when your readings consistently fall between 120 and 129 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. Shifts to a healthier lifestyle can prevent the development of high blood pressure. Yours may continue to rise if you don't make changes. Hypertension Stage 1 Hypertension stage 1 occurs when your readings consistently hit 130 to 139 mm Hg systolic or 80 to 89 mm Hg or higher diastolic. A healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes and possibly blood pressure medication depending on your heart disease risk. Hypertension Stage 2 Hypertension stage 2 happens when your readings are 140 mm Hg systolic and higher or 90 mm Hg diastolic and higher. You'll likely need to make lifestyle changes and take medication to lower your blood pressure. Hypertensive Crisis A hypertensive crisis means that your systolic is higher than 180 mm Hg and/or your diastolic is higher than 120 mm Hg. A hypertensive crisis can cause symptoms like: Wait five minutes and test again if your numbers are above 180/20 mm Hg without these symptoms. Contact a healthcare provider if the reading remains the same If they're still up there. Systolic Diastolic Normal 90 to 120 mm Hg 60 to 80 mm Hg Elevated 120 to 129 mm Hg Less than 80 mm Hg Stage 1 Hypertension 130 to 139 mm Hg 80 to 89 mm Hg or higher Stage 2 Hypertension 140 mm Hg or higher 90 mm Hg or higher Hypertensive Crisis 180 mm Hg or higher 120 mm Hg or higher Hypertension often causes no symptoms. You may not notice you have blood pressure unless a test detects it. Some people can develop complications, such as heart or kidney disease, without knowing they have high blood pressure. People who have a hypertensive crisis can have symptoms like confusion, nosebleeds, severe headaches, and vision changes. There are several causes of hypertension, the risk of which usually increases as you age. Older adults typically have more stiff blood vessels than younger adults, which elevates blood pressure. Other causes of hypertension include: A family history of hypertension A high-sodium diet Anxiety or stress Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or kidney disease Drinking too much alcohol Obesity Pregnancy, which may cause a type of high blood pressure called preeclampsia Smoking or tobacco use Elevated or high blood pressure hinders blood flow over time. This can cause organ damage, hardening of your arteries, and plaque build-up in your arteries. These changes narrow and stiffen your arteries, increasing the risk of blood clots, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Heart Attack and Heart Disease Hypertension damages the arteries and makes them more stiff. High blood pressure can reduce blood and oxygen flow to your heart. This may increase the risk of heart attack and heart disease. The heart muscle becomes damaged and dies without sufficient oxygen if you're having a heart attack. Other heart-related diseases include angina (chest pain) and heart failure. Heart failure happens if the heart is unable to pump blood and oxygen throughout the body efficiently. Stroke A stroke can happen if high blood pressure causes the arteries in the brain to burst. These arteries help deliver blood and oxygen to the brain. Brain cells begin to die if they cannot get oxygen. A stroke may cause disabilities related to movement and speech, as well as death if it's untreated. Kidney Disease High blood pressure is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD reduces kidney function, or removing excess water and waste from the body. The following lifestyle changes can maintain your blood pressure or bring it down to a safer zone: Add stress management tools to your day: Dial down the pressure with tools like daily self-care habits, therapy, support groups, and relaxation techniques. Adopt the DASH diet: DASH stands for "dietary approaches to stop hypertension." The DASH diet entails eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts. You'll also cut down on sweets, sugary drinks, and red meat. Eat less salt: Limit your salt intake to no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of salt per day or, ideally, less than 1,500 mg. Get enough sleep: Schedule a bedtime and wake-up time to ensure you're getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Limit alcohol: Experts advise no more than two alcoholic drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. A healthcare provider may also suggest to stop drinking alcohol altogether. Move more: Aim for at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise. This is about 30 minutes per day, five days per week. Small habits like walking briskly, taking the stairs, and parking at the back of the lot can add up. Quit smoking: Smoking is a top risk factor for heart disease. You can quit with help, such as the Smokefree community. It's also important to know your blood pressure and if or how it's changing. Make it a habit of monitoring your blood pressure routinely. Check your blood pressure every month or two if your readings are at healthy levels. Contact a healthcare provider to figure out next steps if yours are consistently elevated. Meet with a healthcare provider regularly if you consistently have high blood pressure. You'll also want to see a healthcare provider if you have a family history of hypertension, even if you don't currently have the condition. Call 911 right away if you have a hypertensive crisis, or a blood pressure of 180/20 mm Hg, and symptoms like a severe headache and nausea. There are four ranges of hypertension: elevated, stage 1, stage 2, and hypertensive crisis. High blood pressure is generally higher than 130/80 mm Hg. Common causes of high blood pressure include a family history of the condition, obesity, and older age. You can prevent high blood pressure by eating the DASH diet, getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, and quitting smoking. High blood pressure typically does not cause any symptoms and can lead to severe complications if untreated. It's important to see a healthcare provider if you consistently have high blood pressure. They can check your blood pressure to make sure it's within a healthy range. Thanks for your feedback! 15 Sources Health.Com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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