From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-364678-829183
BALTIMORE (UPI) -- A systematic review found high blood pressure in
childhood is linked to high blood pressure in adults, U.S. researchers
said.
The John Hopkins University review and meta-analysis of 50 cohort
studies tracking blood pressure of children into adulthood found a
consistent relationship between children's blood pressure levels with
their blood pressure levels as adults.
"The blood pressure tracking data indicate that children with elevated
blood pressure levels often grew up to become adults with elevated
blood pressure," senior study author Dr. Youfa Wang of Hopkin's
Bloomberg School's Center for Human Nutrition in Baltimore said in a
statement.
"It is important to monitor blood pressure in children -- since early
detection and intervention could prevent hypertension and related
disease risks later in life. For example, studies show that even
slightly elevated blood pressure as adults will increase future risks
for cardiovascular disease considerably."
Hypertension, which is one of the major modifiable risk factors for
cardiovascular disease, can lead to heart disease, heart failure,
stroke, kidney failure and a number of other health problems.
The study findings have been published in Circulation: Journal of the
American Heart Association.