Young adults may show early signs of high blood pressure before symptoms appear

A young adult may feel healthy, exercise regularly and have no signs of illness, yet changes taking place inside the body could already be laying the foundation for future high blood pressure and heart disease.

This is one of the key findings of a North-West University PhD study by Anja Degenaar on kidney and cardiovascular health. Her research indicates that certain kidney markers found in urine can help identify young adults who may be at greater risk of developing long-term high blood pressure and related health problems, years before these conditions are normally detected.

The study is significant because high blood pressure often develops silently. Many people only discover they have the condition after damage has already occurred to the heart, kidneys and blood vessels, among other vital organs.

Degenaar’s research suggests that early warning signs may be present much sooner and could provide healthcare professionals with an opportunity to act before serious complications develop.

Kidneys are an early indicator

Using information from the African-PREDICT study, which followed more than 1 200 young South Africans between the ages of 20 and 30, Degenaar explored the link between kidney health, blood pressure and heart health.

“High blood pressure and kidney disease are often called silent conditions because people may not know they have them until much later,” she says. “Our findings show that changes in kidney health can already be detected in young adults, creating an opportunity for earlier prevention and treatment.”

The study focused on substances found in urine which can provide clues about how well the kidneys are functioning. The kidneys play a key role in regulating blood pressure, and early changes in kidney health may signal future problems elsewhere in the body.

Degenaar found that some of these urine markers were linked to higher blood pressure, signs of inflammation and changes in the heart and blood vessels among young adults who already had high blood pressure.

The research also showed that certain markers could predict which participants were more likely to have persistent high blood pressure nearly five years later.

Preventing disease

“These markers could help us identify people who are at risk before serious damage occurs,” she says. “That gives healthcare providers a better chance to prevent future health problems.”

According to Degenaar, the findings highlight the importance of paying attention to cardiovascular health from a young age.

“Our research shows that the journey toward high blood pressure may start much earlier than many people realise,” she says. “The earlier we identify those at risk, the better our chances of preventing disease and protecting long-term health.”

The study adds to growing evidence that prevention and early detection could play a major role in reducing the burden of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in South Africa.

Image credit: Magnific