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Q.

Is high blood pressure common in young adults?

Related Topics: High Blood Pressure
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James Beckerman, MD, FACCJames Beckerman, MD, FACCSUCCESS!
James Beckerman, MD, FACC
Cardiology
52 Answers
331 Helpful Votes
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A.

A newly published survey reported that 19% of young adults (about one in five) have high blood pressure — with readings greater than 140/90.  Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill surveyed over 14,000 young men and women aged 24 to 32 and were surprised to find a higher prevalence than the less worrisome 4% previously reported from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

It is unclear why these numbers differ, but the message is clear.  High blood pressure is more common than we think. In fact, only 11% of the individuals surveyed had been told that they had high blood pressure.  That means that almost half of the young adults walking around with a significant risk factor for heart attack and stroke don’t even know it.

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Read the Original Article: One in Five Young Adults Have High Blood Pressure. Feeling Lucky?
 
 
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