Study warns: Ignore blood pressure at 30, pay for it at 50

New Delhi: Even a slight rise in blood pressure in your 30s may increase the risk of heart disease decades later, a shocking new study warns.Researchers followed nearly 6,000 adults for more than 20 years and found that for every 10 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure, the risk of cardiovascular disease increased by about 20-22%. Even levels considered “normal” are associated with increased risk.Posted in American Journal of Hypertensionthe findings suggest that mild increases in blood pressure are not as harmless as is often thought. Experts say the risks are similar for men and women, which is often overlooked among young people.Doctors say the findings reinforce that blood pressure is not a fixed limit but an ongoing risk factor. “The idea that risk starts only at 140/90 is outdated—vascular damage starts much earlier,” said Dr. Mohit Gupta, a cardiologist at the Govind Balabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. At the same time, he cautioned against over-interpretation. “For a healthy 30-year-old, a relative increase of 20% over decades may still mean a low absolute risk. These findings should not cause alarm or lead to overtreatment,” he said.Neuroscientist and preventive health advocate Dr. Sudhir Kumar says even mildly elevated blood pressure in young people is not benign. “This risk occurs earlier than we thought and is similar in men and women, suggesting that high blood pressure may counteract the protective effects of estrogen. Control should begin earlier, rather than in midlife – through exercise, a healthy diet, good sleep and regular monitoring,” he said.The study also points to the role of diastolic blood pressure, which often rises before systolic blood pressure levels, in younger people. However, experts stress that this does not require early medical treatment. “There is limited evidence to support aggressive pharmacological treatment of young people with elevated diastolic blood pressure,” Gupta added.He emphasized that the focus is on early prevention. “The message is not to treat early with medication but to intervene early with lifestyle.”The incidence of hypertension among young Indians is rising due to sedentary habits, high salt intake, stress and poor sleep quality, and experts say timely action can make a big difference.Doctors say blood pressure in your 30s is not harmless — it could be an early warning sign of future heart disease risk.