Cardiac and systemic hemodynamic characteristics of hypertension and prehypertension in adolescents and young adults:...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Hypertension Research

Background:

• Rising overweight and obesity rates increase prehypertension and early-onset hypertension prevalence.
• Limited population-based data exist on the cardiac impact of these conditions in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between hypertension, prehypertension, and cardiac structure/function in young individuals.
• To analyze hemodynamic parameters and left ventricular characteristics in relation to blood pressure status.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of clinical data, hemodynamic parameters, and left ventricular structure/function in 1940 participants (aged 14-39) from the Strong Heart Study.
• Comparison of normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive groups, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Hypertension (15%) and prehypertension (35%) were associated with higher left ventricular wall thickness, mass, and hypertrophy prevalence compared to normotensive individuals.
• Both hypertensive and prehypertensive groups showed increased pulse pressure/stroke volume index and total peripheral resistance index.
• Participants with hypertension and prehypertension were more likely to be male, older, and diabetic.

Conclusions:

• Hypertension and prehypertension in a population with high obesity and diabetes are linked to increased cardiac output and peripheral resistance.
• Young individuals with hypertension and prehypertension exhibit prognostically adverse preclinical cardiovascular disease, including left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial stiffness.