Maintaining regular exercise throughout young adulthood may play a crucial role in preventing hypertension in midlife, according to a study involving over 5,000 participants across four US cities. The research, led by epidemiologist Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo from the University of California, San Francisco, suggests that teenagers and individuals in their early 20s may need to sustain higher levels of physical activity than previously recommended to safeguard against hypertension later in life.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a serious health concern affecting a substantial global population and is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia. The study tracked the health of more than 5,100 adults over three decades, assessing their exercise habits, smoking status, and alcohol intake through physical assessments and questionnaires.
The findings revealed that physical activity levels declined from ages 18 to 40 across genders and racial groups, coinciding with an increase in hypertension rates. This implies that young adulthood is a critical period for implementing health promotion programs focused on increasing exercise to prevent midlife hypertension.
The study suggests that individuals who engaged in five hours of moderate exercise per week during early adulthood, double the current minimum recommended amount for adults, significantly lowered their risk of hypertension. Maintaining this level of activity until age 60 showed notable benefits in hypertension prevention. The study underscores the need to reconsider the minimum standards for physical activity and encourages interventions during the crucial young adulthood phase.
However, the study also highlighted racial disparities, revealing differing health trajectories between Black and White participants. Black individuals experienced a continued decline in physical activity levels, leading to higher rates of hypertension compared to White counterparts. Socioeconomic factors, neighborhood environments, and family responsibilities were suggested as potential contributors to these racial disparities.
While the study emphasizes the importance of regular exercise for overall health and hypertension prevention, it acknowledges the challenges individuals face in sustaining physical activity during significant life transitions. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and increased awareness of the benefits of long-term exercise for cardiovascular health. The study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and its implications suggest the potential for proactive health promotion strategies targeting young adults to mitigate the risk of hypertension in later life.