Young adults with high blood pressure face a higher risk of heart and kidney disease later in life, according to recent research. This finding highlights the importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure at a younger age, particularly among adults under 40. The study, which has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, was presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026. The research analyzed the health information of 291,887 adults from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, who were 30 years old between 2002 and 2004 and received routine health screenings between the ages of 30 and 40. The participants had no prior history of heart or kidney disease before the age of 40. The researchers calculated each participant's cumulative blood pressure levels from ages 30 to 40 to account for how high it was and how long it stayed elevated. The participants were followed for about 10 years after age 40, during which the development of heart or kidney disease was identified through national health service records. The diagnosis of chronic kidney disease was also confirmed by laboratory tests, conducted during the follow-up period. The researchers found that those who had high blood pressure that remained elevated from age 30 to 40 had a higher risk of heart disease and kidney disease after 40. Those who had a systolic blood pressure reading of around 10 mm Hg higher than their peers for about 10 years had a 27% higher risk of heart disease and a 22% higher risk of kidney disease. Participants who had a diastolic blood pressure of around 5 mm Hg higher than their peers for about 10 years had a 20% higher risk of heart disease and 16% higher risk of kidney disease. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends treating hypertension in adults with a predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease. High blood pressure during young adulthood may be linked to a higher risk of heart disease and kidney disease later in life, according to new research. The findings reinforce the importance of maintaining a healthy blood pressure at younger ages, particularly among adults under 40. High blood pressure raises heart disease risk by 27%. Nearly half of U.S. adults live with high blood pressure, according to the AHA 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics. Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. High blood pressure is also the most common and modifiable risk factor for both heart disease and stroke. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is imperative to reducing the risk of or preventing heart disease, a major cardiac event, or stroke. Often, elevated blood pressures in young adults are ignored, thinking that we'll just watch it. The new data is reinforcing that screening and management should begin much earlier than midlife. The AHA states that it's important to work with your healthcare professional to manage and lower your blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medications or recommend strategies for managing high blood sugar and high cholesterol. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent a cardiovascular event. Lifestyle changes that may help lower blood pressure include limiting or avoiding alcohol.
