Cardiac and Vascular Consequences of Pre-Hypertension in Youth

In their investigation involving 723 adolescents and young adults aged 10-23 years, Elaine Urbina and her team found that both pre-hypertension and hypertension independently contribute to target organ damage, encompassing cardiac and vascular abnormalities. The researchers underscored that even slight elevations in blood pressure can exert substantial impacts on the cardiovascular system. They advocate for pediatricians to promptly identify and intervene in individuals with elevated blood pressure to avert long-term consequences. Furthermore, their findings accentuate the significance of contemplating pharmacologic intervention at lower blood pressure thresholds to forestall progression to sustained hypertension.