High blood pressure in males in late adolescence associated with later increased risk of major cardiovascular events

A study of more than 1 million Swedish men followed for up to 50 years found that higher blood pressure (BP) at age 18 was associated with an increased risk for major cardiovascular events later in life, including heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, and mortality. The risk for major cardiac events became elevated beginning at a BP of 120/80 mm Hg. According to the researchers, early intervention for hypertension may be critical to reducing later cardiovascular events. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.