[Arterial hypertension in adolescents]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Adolescent Health
• Public Health

Context:

• Adolescent hypertension is a growing concern with potential long-term cardiovascular implications.
• Understanding baseline blood pressure norms and influencing factors in adolescents is crucial for early detection and intervention.
• This study analyzes blood pressure parameters in a large cohort of adolescents.

Purpose:

• To establish normative blood pressure values (systolic, K1; K4, diastolic; K5, mean) for adolescent males and females.
• To investigate the relationship between obesity, salt intake, and blood pressure levels in adolescents.
• To identify potential risk factors contributing to elevated blood pressure in this demographic.

Summary:

• Mean systolic blood pressure (K1) was significantly higher in adolescent males (112 mmHg) compared to females (105 mmHg).
• Elevated blood pressure readings (K1, K4, K5) were observed at higher percentiles, with distinct distributions between sexes.
• Obesity showed a significant positive correlation with higher systolic (K1) and diastolic (K4) blood pressure in both males and females (p<0.01).
• Excessive salt consumption was also significantly associated with increased diastolic blood pressure (K4) (p<0.01).

Impact:

• Provides essential normative data for adolescent blood pressure, aiding in the diagnosis of hypertension.
• Highlights obesity and high salt intake as key modifiable risk factors for elevated blood pressure in adolescents.
• Informs public health strategies and clinical guidelines for managing and preventing hypertension in young populations.