Hypertension in young people: understand the risks of the disease

Despite being mostly associated with older age, arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure, can also affect adolescents or young adults. Among the consequences of this condition are the risk of stroke and heart attack.

According to cardiologist Claudio Catharina, the increase in blood pressure in young people can be directly related to different health problems, such as:

• Endocrinological conditions;

• Obesity;

• Diet rich in salt and spices.

“Sometimes there is the factor alcoholism, abuse of stimulants and anabolic steroids – a growing factor today among teenagers and young people. In girls, hypertension can be precipitated by the use of oral contraceptives,” she explains.

Hypertension symptoms

The disease is usually silent, appearing asymptomatically. In general, the patient is considered hypertensive when the pressure is greater than or equal to 14 by 9 (140 / 90mmHg) for most of the day.

However, some signs can indicate hypertension:

Scratchs

Also according to Claudio, cardiovascular diseases are leaders in deaths in the western world. Among them are: Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA), heart attack and heart failure.

In addition, hypertension is also known to carry long-term risks. That is, even if the patient has no symptoms, the disease can lead to the development of future complications.

A study released by the American Heart Association analyzed that people between 20 and 40 years old, diagnosed with high blood pressure, can experience brain changes around age 55.

These changes in brain functioning can lead to cognitive decline over the years, impacting the elderly phase of patients.

How to prevent hypertension in young people

Ideally, heart health care should begin early, during childhood. Ensuring a healthy diet, exercising and controlling weight are some of the main preventive measures.

“Cholesterol control is a great weapon to reduce cardiovascular risk, but it is not alone. It is necessary to pay attention to hypertension, sugar, weight, physical inactivity, the sleep cycle and avoid smoking and environmental pollution, which also contribute to cardiovascular injury”, says Claudio.

The doctor says that carrying out preventive exams and medical consultations with a general practitioner or cardiologist are also ways to prevent the disease. This is because, during the clinical evaluation, proposals for lifestyle changes and specific guidelines are made.

“Looking for the disease comes from the clinical findings of a good evaluation. From there, clinical analysis and imaging tests are selected to better define the person’s condition”, he says.

Treatment

Although there is no cure, people diagnosed with hypertension can find ways to control the condition. With the assessment of the level of comorbidity, as well as other possible related diseases, the doctor will indicate the ideal treatment for each case.

In general, patients with high blood pressure should pay attention to their lifestyle and reinforce healthy habits. In addition, blood pressure control is also done with medications, which are indicated individually.