At What Age Is High Blood Pressure Most Likely to Develop?

Officially, hypertension (or high blood pressure) affects about half of American adults, but because its symptoms are so subtle and hard to detect, the actual number may be much higher. Though high blood pressure may be more common as we age, it can strike anyone, particularly those with kidney problems. 

As a leading nephrologist in Dearborn, Michigan, Chadi Saad, MD, helps patients at Nephrocare MD LLC manage their hypertension and reduce the risk of complications. Here, learn how age can influence your risk of hypertension and what you can do to stay healthy.

Age as a risk factor

Age is a major risk factor for hypertension, but the relationship between how old you are and your risk of developing high blood pressure isn't as clear cut as it once was. Rather than being primarily a malady of older age, today, people of all ages are at risk.

Middle age and older

For many people, middle age is the time when the risk of hypertension really increases. That increase can be due to multiplex factors, like:

• A lifetime of unhealthy eating habits
• A decline in physical activity
• Decreases in hormones
• Increased stress

At  this age, your blood vessels become stiffer or more narrow due to biological changes and a buildup of sticky plaque deposits composed of excess cholesterol. Chronic diseases, like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, can also lead to increases in blood pressure, particularly in middle age and beyond.

Roughly 60% of people have hypertension by the time they’re aged 40-59, according to the CDC, with that number increasing to about 75% by age 60. Even if you don’t have hypertension by age 65, you still have a 90% chance of developing it in the future.

Young adults

When it comes to hypertension, younger adults aren’t immune. According to the CDC, about 23% of adults ages 18-39 have hypertension. Rates are higher among males than females — about 32% vs. 13%. 

Risk factors for hypertension in younger adults are similar to those of older adults, revolving around factors like poor diet, sedentary behavior, and obesity, as well as stress. Because hypertension is primarily considered a disease that affects older people, screening at younger ages is essential for identifying increased blood pressure — and treating it — as early as possible.

Kids and adolescents

Over the past several decades, pediatric high blood pressure has also seen an increase. Today, between 4-15% of kids and adolescents have high blood pressure, a condition called pediatric hypertension. Even though kids may not have all the same underlying risk factors as older adults, hypertension still increases kids’ risks of serious complications like heart disease. 

Most researchers believe the rise in pediatric hypertension is related to the concomitant rise in the rates of pediatric obesity — data show about 20% of American kids are obese, which means they’re also at risk of hypertension and other health and lifestyle complications.

An unhealthy diet, a family history of hypertension, and other underlying medical problems are other factors that can lead to hypertension in kids.

Kidney disease and hypertension

Although obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet are relatively well-known risk factors for hypertension, many people don't know their kidneys can also play a role. In fact, even if you follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight, kidney problems can still lead to hypertension.

Actually, the relationship between your kidneys and your blood pressure is a two-way street: Compromised kidneys can’t filter your blood as well, leaving substances behind that can increase your blood pressure. At the same time, high blood pressure damages your kidneys, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that can only be broken with medical intervention. What’s more, kidney problems can happen at any age, which means this risk factor is shared by all age groups.

Diagnosing and managing high blood pressure

Because high blood pressure causes few or no symptoms of its own. Regular screenings are important for diagnosing hypertension and preventing complications. Knowing your risk factors, like a personal or family history of kidney disease, is also important.

If you have high blood pressure or you’re at risk of developing it, a management plan is essential. Depending on your needs, your plan may include lifestyle changes, like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management, with or without medication to keep your blood pressure within a healthy range.

To learn more about hypertension and how we can help you avoid complications, call 313-960-6605 or book an appointment online with Dr. Saad and the team at Nephrocare MD LLC today.