Young and Hypertense: Do You Know if You Have High Blood Pressure?

If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 39, there is a good chance you have high blood pressure and may not know it. Research findings in eight national health surveys conducted between 1999 and 2014 suggest that only half of the 6.7 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 who actually have high blood pressure or hypertension received treatment for it.

Most High Blood Pressure Goes Undiagnosed
Approximately 75 million adults in the US, which is roughly 32% of the population, have high blood pressure.  While awareness of and treatment for hypertension and high blood pressure has improved in recent years, a significant number of people still go undiagnosed and untreated every year. And a large percentage of those people are men under the age of 39. Over 86% of women with high blood pressure have been diagnosed and sought treatment, compared with 44% of young men. High blood pressure and hypertension are the leading cause of stroke and heart attack, and contribute to one in 4 deaths every year in the US alone. High blood pressure can be caused by many factors, including obesity, smoking, stress, and genetics. In many cases the risk factors can be reduced or eliminated and the condition can be controlled.  However, failure to seek medical opinion and treatment can have serious consequences.

Reducing Stress With Chiropractic Care May Reduce Blood Pressure
Studies conducted at Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA show that individuals who have shown elevated blood pressure in adolescence and early adulthood are at greater risk for heart attacks later in life. Researches suggest that preventing high blood pressure in the first place by exercising, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco is one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of hypertension or high blood pressure.  If medication I required to control the condition, patients tend to get better results when they are young. Chiropractic care can also help alleviate or eliminate sources of stress caused by chronic pain, which can contribute to an overall reduction in blood pressure. If you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease in your family, or think you may be suffering from the condition, you are encouraged to seek a medical evaluation and treatment.