Study suggests those with “normal blood pressure” still at risk.
The body mass index (BMI) of seemingly healthy teens in 11th or 12th grade should be checked to predict whether they are likely to develop hypertension (high blood pressure) as young adults. This is the lesson of a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers who just published their findings in the journal Hypertension of the American Heart Association.
The BMI can easily be calculated by dividing one’s weight in kilos by the square of one’s height in meters (or in non-metric countries, the number of pounds multiplied by 703 and divided by one’s height in inches squared). Anyone with a BMI over 25 is considered overweight; if it is over 30, the person is obese.
BGU clinical biochemistry Prof. Assaf Rudich, who headed the large-scale prospective study, said that despite “normal” blood pressure at age 17, hypertension can develop a few years later. The team also found that teenage boys are three to four times more likely to develop high blood pressure in early adulthood than girls.
Currently, systolic blood pressures (the top number of the reading) of 100 to 110 and even up to 120 are considered within the normal range for adolescents. But if their BMI is too high, they may be in trouble and having a lower blood pressure at 17 should now be regarded as desirable, Rudich said.
Known as the “silent killer,” hypertension is a major risk factor for heart disease and vascular diseases like stroke, he said. “It is increasing along with the obesity epidemic, but regrettably young adults who are otherwise healthy frequently are not screened for becoming hypertensive.”
The BGU researchers examined the development of blood pressure from adolescence to young adulthood in 23,191 men and 3,789 women from the ages of 17 when undergoing medical tests for the Israel Defense Forces and followed them up until the age of 42. They took regular readings of blood pressure and BMI of teenagers who did not have high blood pressure at 17.
The study showed that in boys, there is a strong correlation between blood pressure and BMI at 17, meaning that while the blood pressure reading may be in the “normal range,” there is a greater risk for hypertension when BMI is also evaluated.
The rate of progression to hypertension is higher in boys whose systolic blood pressure is 110 versus those whose blood pressure is 100.
For girls, only the sub-group considered obese had substantially higher risk of high blood pressure. The researchers believe that the hormone estrogen may protect against hypertension.
The study also confirmed the observation that 17-year-old boys have higher blood pressure than girls of the same age. During a follow-up period with these adolescents, 14 percent or 3,810 people developed hypertension.
“Collectively, the study suggests that pediatricians caring for adolescents and physicians caring for young adults should be more aware of the need to monitor weight and blood pressure even when they are considered normal,” said Prof. Iris Shai of the Faculty of Health Sciences‚ epidemiology department.
“For the individual person, a ‘normal value’ may still be associated with a significant elevated risk of disease when the BMI and sex of the patient is also considered,” she concluded.
Howdy,Useful post, although i’m more concerned in what will take place out of the google vs facebook social network war. I have not discovered much news on it recently, which most probably indicates that it’s not that far off, but i’ve got a feeling its really going to mean a few big changes to social networks. I think, i would prefer facebook left the battle still in the lead because google’s already large enough, and they already hold an excessive amount of data on everyone. I don’t reckon that both have the opportunity to exist though, either google’s social network will take over or completely fail. What does everybody else think?
Excellent post, I will be checking back regularly to look for updates. 🙂
Pingback: toy's heart
Pingback: diabetes diet plan
Pingback: ideal toy
Great thanks for this, would just wanna letcha know I bookmarked to ur blog too..thnks 🙂
Thanks and Please keep updating your Blog. I will be stopping by every time you do .
There is a vast amount of information on the blog you’ve started. Thanks.
I’m not the kind of person that actually leaves a comment on web logs yet this is actually an interesting post. I am still wondering exactly what the point is but allow me some time and I will probably know.
wicked website, it is going on my twitter.
Just to let you know… your website looks extremely strange in Mozilla on a Mac
I quite much enjoy your webpage right here, thank you so much you have helped me out greatly Smile spread the really enjoy.
Hmmm for some reason only half the submit might be seen. I tried reloading but still same.
great blog! ill be stopping back! do you mind if i share this?
this is one of the greatest websites i’ve had the good fortune to come across. You show yourself to really know what youre talking about. Im going to come back every day just to see what you write. Please keep up the great work.
I located this on page 16 in Bing and that is simply a shame. Now i’m no authority nevertheless what you are writing right here makes sense. More people need to be aware of it.
A situation that I am fascinated by fantastic to listen to your current viewpoint. I was thinking any people that like to fish on here if so double check this domain out comprehensive tremendous facts. I have actually been checking back to it time after time. Basically like this kind of web-site
I ask all my friends to visit this blog…. and I hope they will definitely like..
Pingback: Biochemist proposes worldwide policy change to step up daily vitamin D intake | HealthClean.net
Pingback: Get Six Pack Abs | Study: Anger Can Harm the Heart
I like this blog and the writing style you use throughout your entry. You truly have a gift and a way with words. I hope you keep creating such powerful content on a regular basis, as i definitely look forward to checking it.
Amiable post and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you seeking your information.
Really informative blog post here my friend. I just wanted to comment & say keep up the quality work. I’ve bookmarked your blog just now and I’ll be back to read more in the future my friend! Also nice colors on the layout it goes well with the blog in my humble opinion 🙂
Pingback: US Tele-Medicine Blog » Blog Archive » High-BMI Teens Risk … edu university