High blood pressure in young individuals is becoming increasingly common, with the under-35 age group accounting for 12% of all patients. Many people believe that high blood pressure only affects older individuals, but in reality, this condition has been trending towards younger populations in recent years. In this article, let’s delve deeper into high blood pressure in young people and explore its treatment and prevention.
What is high blood pressure in young people like?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition where the blood pressure against artery walls is higher than normal, and it is assessed based on systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings (measured in mmHg). If not well controlled, high blood pressure can lead to serious health issues such as stroke, coronary artery disease, disability, and even death.
The following are the blood pressure categories according to the Department of Health:
- Optimal blood pressure: SBP < 120 mmHg and DBP < 80 mmHg.
- Normal blood pressure: SBP 120-129 mmHg and DBP 80-84 mmHg.
- Prehypertension: SBP 130-139 mmHg and DBP 85-89 mmHg.
- High blood pressure: SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and DBP ≥ 90 mmHg.
If a person under the age of 35 has SBP readings of 140 mmHg or higher and DBP readings of 90 mmHg or higher, they are considered to have high blood pressure. This condition is referred to as high blood pressure in young people.
What Causes High Blood Pressure in Young People?
According to the WHO, the causes of high blood pressure in young people are directly related to their dietary and lifestyle habits. Specifically:
- Alcohol consumption: Young individuals consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages are at the highest risk of developing high blood pressure and other serious health issues.
- Stress and mental pressure: Pressures from work and modern lifestyles lead many young people to experience stress, which can significantly impact their mental well-being and contribute to elevated blood pressure.
- High salt intake: Young individuals often tend to consume fast food and processed foods like fried chicken, sausages, and cold cuts, which are high in salt content—a leading factor in high blood pressure.
- Overweight and obesity: Body weight has a direct impact on blood pressure and cardiovascular health. Young individuals who are overweight or obese often experience high blood pressure, which, if not controlled, can lead to various cardiovascular problems like heart disease, blocked blood vessels, ruptured blood vessels, and strokes.
- Stimulants: Stimulants like coffee, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes also contribute to high blood pressure in young people.
Lifestyle habits are primarily related to the increase in blood pressure.
What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure in Young People?
In older individuals, typical symptoms of high blood pressure may include dizziness, headaches, red and hot face, among others. However, young people with high blood pressure often do not exhibit these typical signs.
Health statistics have shown a few indicators of high blood pressure in young individuals, such as difficulty controlling emotions, easy irritability, and lack of concentration, which significantly affect their communication skills and work performance.
After a prolonged “silent” period, symptoms of high blood pressure in young individuals become more evident, sometimes accompanied by other health issues. At this stage, symptoms may include headaches, shortness of breath, chest tightness, blurred vision, flushed face, and nosebleeds.
In reality, over 70% of young people with high blood pressure do not display any typical symptoms. Therefore, they often unintentionally discover their high blood pressure during routine health check-ups or while being examined for other medical conditions.
Diagnosing High Blood Pressure in Young Patients
To diagnose high blood pressure, the only method is using a blood pressure monitor. However, diagnosing high blood pressure in young people can be more challenging as it requires considering multiple factors, such as:
- Age.
- Gender.
- Height.
- Systolic blood pressure.
- Diastolic blood pressure.
A teenager is diagnosed with high blood pressure if their systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are above the 95th percentile (meaning higher than 95% of other children in the same age group). Additionally, the American Heart Association recommends using adult blood pressure definitions for individuals above 13 years old.
High blood pressure is diagnosed through the use of measuring devices.
Is High Blood Pressure Dangerous for Young People?
Previously, individuals under 40 years old with high blood pressure were considered young. However, the definition of high blood pressure in young people has now lowered the age threshold to below 35. This change is due to the increasing prevalence of the condition and its trend of affecting younger individuals.
High blood pressure not only manifests with symptoms affecting the patient’s daily life but also leads to a series of complications and damages various organs in the body:
- Cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial ischemia,…), stroke.
- Sexual dysfunction, significantly impacting personal relationships.
- Emotional disorders in a negative direction, loss of control…
- Renal damage (proteinuria or kidney failure)…
Moreover, the danger lies in the fact that high blood pressure in young people often presents with few clear symptoms, making early detection challenging. When the condition has progressed to a severe stage, it can lead to various health complications, even fatal outcomes. Therefore, timely detection, care, and treatment of high blood pressure in young patients are of utmost importance.
Treatment for High Blood Pressure in Young People
The goal of treating high blood pressure in young individuals is to balance and bring the systolic and diastolic blood pressure to an ideal range of 90/60 mmHg – 120/80 mmHg, and then maintain it at this level. Typically, the doctor will investigate the underlying causes of high blood pressure to determine a specific treatment approach, prevent recurrence, and protect the patient’s health.
However, in some cases, the cause of high blood pressure in young patients may not be clear. In such situations, the treatment focuses on bringing the blood pressure back to a balanced level and preventing dangerous complications.
Home remedies for high blood pressure
Most young individuals nowadays lead unhealthy lifestyles, including excessive alcohol consumption, staying up late, and insufficient sleep. Therefore, to restore health and improve blood pressure, individuals need to proactively change their lifestyle habits, adopt a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, and maintain proper sleep schedules.
Celery juice: Boil 100g of celery with 5 bowls of filtered water, simmer until the water is reduced to 1/3, let it cool, and then pour it into a bowl. Consuming 3 bowls of celery juice daily helps to control blood pressure and effectively reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Adjusting the diet and lifestyle can help improve blood pressure.
Using Medicine
Depending on the individual’s condition of high blood pressure, doctors will provide appropriate prescriptions. Typically, the following types of medication are used to treat high blood pressure in young patients:
- Beta-blockers: These medications primarily work by dilating blood vessels, regulating heart rate, and reducing pressure on the heart. As a result, they decrease the force of blood pumped through the arteries with each heartbeat and inhibit certain endogenous hormones that contribute to elevated blood pressure.
- Diuretics: High salt intake and fluid retention in the body are the leading causes of high blood pressure. Diuretics help in excreting excess salt and waste fluids from the body through urine, thereby reducing blood volume and gradually stabilizing blood pressure.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs): Angiotensin plays a role in constricting blood vessels. ACE inhibitors and ARBs prevent the body from producing this substance, thus reducing blood pressure and dilating blood vessels.
- Calcium channel blockers: These medications effectively block certain calcium ions from entering heart muscles, reducing pressure from the heart and significantly improving blood pressure readings.
- Alpha-2 blockers: These medications lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels through changes in nerve signaling, effectively relaxing the blood vessels.
Note: The aforementioned medications may be prescribed individually or in combination with other underlying condition treatments. However, patients should not self-administer or use these medications at home without guidance from a doctor.
The use of medication must be prescribed by a doctor or qualified healthcare professional.
Preventing High Blood Pressure in Young People
To prevent high blood pressure and related complications, young individuals should actively build a healthy lifestyle and adopt proper rest habits. These “golden rules” effectively help prevent this condition:
- Combine healthy lifestyle adjustments with adequate sleep and limit staying up late.
- Consume a healthy diet and include nutrient-rich foods, fiber, and vitamins, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meat, and fish.
- Limit the intake of sugary foods, deep-fried items with excessive oil, processed foods, and canned products.
- Engage in regular physical exercise to enhance the body’s immunity.
- Maintain a healthy weight and ensure it corresponds to the appropriate height (the ideal BMI range is 18.5-24.9).
- Manage stress, fatigue, and anxiety while maintaining a relaxed state of mind.
- Minimize alcohol consumption and avoid stimulants like tobacco and excessive coffee.
High blood pressure is becoming increasingly common in young individuals and harbors potential dangerous health complications if not intervened early. Therefore, everyone should proactively undergo regular health check-ups and consult a doctor if they notice any unusual signs in their body. Avoid being complacent and allow the condition to worsen.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
