Beware of High Blood Pressure in Young Age Can Damage the Heart and Kidneys

JAKARTA - High blood pressure or hypertension is often considered a health problem that only affects the elderly. In fact, more and more young adults experience this condition due to unhealthy lifestyles, such as lack of physical activity, consumption of high-salt foods, prolonged stress, and smoking habits.

Recent research shows that hypertension that occurs from a young age can increase the risk of various serious diseases later in life, including heart disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease.

The findings reinforce the importance of keeping blood pressure normal from a young age, especially for those under 40. Researchers found that persistently high blood pressure over many years can have long-term effects on heart and vascular health.

"High blood pressure is a risk factor that is known to significantly contribute to the development of heart disease and kidney disease," said Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, Laguna Hills, California, quoted from the Healthline page.

"Therefore, it is not surprising, although still worrying, that persistently high blood pressure in young adulthood may lead to early cardiovascular disease and kidney disorders when entering middle age," he continued.

In a study involving nearly 292 thousand adults in South Korea, researchers observed the participants' health conditions from the ages of 30 to 40. They then monitored the participants' health developments for about a decade after entering the age of 40.

The results showed that individuals who have consistently high blood pressure at the age of 30 to 40 years have a greater risk of heart disease and kidney disease than those with normal blood pressure.

Participants who had systolic blood pressure or the upper number of about 10 mmHg higher than their age group for 10 years had an increased risk of heart disease by 27 percent and a risk of kidney disease by 22 percent.

Meanwhile, those who had diastolic blood pressure or a lower number of about 5 mmHg higher during the same period had a 20 percent increased risk of heart disease and 16 percent of kidney disease.

This finding is a warning that hypertension at a young age is not a condition that can be considered trivial. If left untreated, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and force the heart to work harder for a long time. This condition can increase the risk of heart failure in the productive age.

Unfortunately, many young people are unaware that they have hypertension because this condition often does not cause clear symptoms. As a result, high blood pressure is only known when serious complications occur.

"Often we ignore elevated blood pressure in young adults, thinking that we will just monitor it," said Karishma Patwa, MD, a certified cardiologist at Manhattan Cardiology.

"This new data further confirms that screening and treatment should begin much earlier, not waiting until middle age," he added.

According to experts, regular blood pressure checks need to be done from a young age so that hypertension can be detected early. The sooner this condition is known, the greater the chance of preventing future heart and kidney damage.

Keeping blood pressure stable does not always have to start with drugs. Healthy lifestyle changes can be an effective first step to lowering blood pressure and maintaining heart health.

Some of the steps that can be taken include:

1. Eat a balanced and low-salt nutritious diet.

2. Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

3. Exercise regularly for at least 150 minutes per week.

4. Manage stress well.

5. Maintain ideal body weight.

6. Avoid cigarettes and cigarette smoke.

7. Limit alcohol consumption.

If blood pressure remains high despite lifestyle changes, doctors may consider administering drug therapy according to the condition of each patient.

Hypertension is not just a threat to parents. If it occurs at a young age and lasts for a long time, this condition can increase the risk of heart disease, heart failure, to kidney disorders. Therefore, do not ignore the results of your blood pressure check. The sooner it is controlled, the greater the chance of maintaining heart health until old age.