Blood Pressure High for 1 in 5 Young Adults
A major study has found a much larger rate of high blood pressure in young adults than expected â nearly 1 in 5. The study included 14,000 men and women, ages 24 through 32. Researchers asked whether anyone had told them they had high blood pressure. About 11% said yes. Then their blood pressure was measured. Readings were high for 19%. High blood pressure is 140 over 90 millimeters of mercury or higher. The high blood pressure rate was much higher than found in another major health survey taken at the same time. That study found 9% had been told they had high blood pressure and 4% actually had it. Researchers checked possible reasons for the difference. However, they were unable to explain it. The journal Epidemiology published the study online May 25. USA Today wrote about it.