High BP in childhood may raise risk of heart attack, stroke: Study

A recent study revealed that hypertension during childhood and adolescence can significantly increase the likelihood of serious heart conditions such as stroke and heart attack by up to four times. This condition, affecting approximately one in every 15 young individuals globally, is raising concerns due to its growing prevalence.

To gauge its long-term impact, researchers analysed data from 25,605 youngsters diagnosed with hypertension between 1996 and 2021 in Ontario, Canada, and compared it with a control group. Over a follow-up period of 13 years, it was found that those with hypertension faced a two to fourfold higher risk of encountering heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or requiring cardiac surgery compared to their counterparts without the



condition.

Experts called for boosting blood pressure screening and treatment during childhood to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular disease as an adult. "Devoting more resources to paediatric blood pressure screening and control could lower the risks of long-term heart conditions in children with hypertension," said Cal H. Robinson, paediatric nephrology fellow at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Canada.

"More awareness about the importance of regular screening and follow-up for paediatric hypertension may prevent children from developing significant adverse heart outcomes later in life," Robinson added.

The findings will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2024 Meeting, held May 3-6 in Toronto.