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Life-Course Blood Pressure Levels, 38-Year Tracking, and Prediction of Hypertension
Fiia Iiskala1,2,3, Yaxing Meng4,5, Markus Juonala3,6
1Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine University of Turku Finland.
Journal of the American Heart Association
|December 23, 2025
Summary
Childhood elevated blood pressure (BP) can track into adulthood, increasing hypertension risk. Long-term cumulative BP exposure from ages 6-12 significantly elevates adult hypertension risk in both females and males.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Elevated childhood blood pressure (BP) is a predictor of adult hypertension.
- Persistent exposure to high BP from childhood increases long-term cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the tracking of childhood BP into adulthood over 38 years.
- To assess the association between cumulative childhood BP exposure and adult hypertension risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Young Finns Study (YFS) cohort (N=3596, ages 3-18 at baseline).
- Repeated BP measurements over an average 38.0-year follow-up.
- Defined cumulative BP exposure using area under the curve; hypertension defined by BP thresholds, medication use, or physician diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Weak correlation observed between childhood and adulthood BP (r=0.298 females, r=0.187 males).
- Long-term cumulative elevated BP (ages 6-12) significantly increased adult hypertension risk (HR 3.85 females, HR 2.66 males).
Conclusions:
- Long-term cumulative exposure to elevated BP in childhood/adolescence is linked to significantly increased adult hypertension risk.
- Early life BP monitoring and intervention are crucial for preventing adult hypertension.
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