JAMA: High Blood Pressure in Childhood May Lead to Early Death from Heart Disease

The study used data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project, one of the largest studies in the U.S. focused on the effects of pregnancy and early childhood factors on long-term health. Around 38,000 children participated in the project, and their blood pressure was measured at age 7.

Blood pressure levels were converted into percentiles based on age, sex, and height, following guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The analysis also considered factors such as body mass index and demographic characteristics.

To assess the long-term outcomes, researchers used data from the National Death Index, tracking participants until 2016. By that time, 2,837 participants had died, including 504 from cardiovascular diseases.

The study found that children with elevated blood pressure were more likely to die from heart-related conditions before age 50. Even moderate increases in blood pressure raised the risk. A rise in systolic pressure increased the risk by 13%, while diastolic pressure raised it by 18%. The highest risk was seen among children in the top 10% for blood pressure relative to their peers.

The association remained strong even after accounting for environmental and genetic factors. A comparison of 150 sibling groups confirmed that children with high childhood blood pressure had a higher risk of early death than their siblings.