A recent study has highlighted the significant impact of high blood pressure at any age, not just in later life. Researchers found that monitoring a child’s blood pressure at around seven years old could predict their risk of dying from heart disease by their mid-50s.
The study, presented at the American Heart Association’s Hypertension Scientific Sessions and published in the JAMA journal, revealed that children with elevated blood pressure faced a 40% to 50% higher risk of death over the next five decades. Lead researcher Dr. Alexa Freedman emphasized the importance of early blood pressure screening and promoting cardiovascular health from childhood.
This groundbreaking study examined both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in childhood and its long-term impact on cardiovascular mortality. Tracking 38,000 children from age seven until 2016, it was found that those with higher blood pressure levels were more likely to die prematurely from heart disease, even if their blood pressure was within the normal range.
Despite some limitations, such as having only one blood pressure measurement at age seven for each child, the study underscored the lasting effects of childhood blood pressure levels on cardiovascular health. Previous research has also linked high blood pressure in childhood to a higher risk of heart disease in adulthood, emphasizing the importance of monitoring blood pressure from an early age.
It is essential to note that while these findings are significant, the study has not yet undergone peer review and should be interpreted with caution until published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.