UNITED KINGDOM: The number of teenagers in England who have risky high blood pressure is “considerable,” with 170,000 people between the ages of 16 and 24.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that this corresponds to five young men and one young woman for every 100. It adds extra strain on the heart and blood vessels even though it may not originally cause symptoms or problems.
The data was extracted from the Health Survey for England, which implicated 20,000 people, including 1,500 children, having their average blood pressure taken many times by nurses at their homes.
ONS’s analytical hub, Chris Shine, stated, “We see a significant proportion of younger, healthier patients who are undiagnosed. This group may be unaware they have the condition because they are less likely to seek medical attention if they are otherwise healthy.”
About half of heart attacks and strokes in the UK were indeed caused by high blood pressure, also recognised as hypertension. All adults should have regular blood pressure checks and take precautions to avoid long-term harm because it can develop at any age, doctors.
Shine mentioned, “These findings will be useful for healthcare providers and those looking to improve outcomes for one of the leading causes of early death, especially since we know that the earlier hypertension is recognised, the more successfully it can be managed and treated in people of all ages.”
Charity Blood Pressure UK’s doctor, Pauline Swift, stated, “You are more likely to stay healthy and avoid strokes, heart disease, and chronic renal disease if you start making tiny adjustments to your lifestyle while you are young, such as eating less salt, more fruit and vegetables, and exercising more to maintain a healthy weight.
“By measuring their blood pressure at home, in a drugstore, or with their practice nurse, everyone should take charge of their health. Your life may be saved by this,” Pauline stated.
Blood pressure can rise for a multitude of reasons, such as being overweight, eating a poor diet, being inactive, consuming excessive alcohol, and smoking. The ONS found that young men were more likely than older men to go without a diagnosis, with 66% of men and 26% of women between the ages of 16 and 24 and 55% of men and 44% of women between the ages of 25 and 34, respectively, compared to 17% of men and 21% of women 75 years and older.
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