Research Highlights:<\/p>\n
\n\tChildren who had higher blood pressure at age 7 were more likely to die early from cardiovascular disease by their mid-50s. The risk was highest for children whose blood pressure measurements were in the top 10% for their age, sex and height.
\n\tBoth elevated blood pressure (90-94th percentile) and hypertension (\u226595th percentile) were linked with about a 40% to 50% higher risk of early cardiovascular death in adulthood.
\n\tResearchers said their findings show why it\u2019s important to regularly check children\u2019s blood pressure and to help them develop heart-healthy habits early that can help lower their risk of health conditions later in life.
\n\tNote: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract.\u00a0Abstracts presented at the American Heart Association\u2019s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
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Embargoed until 10 a.m. ET\/9 a.m. CT, Sunday, Sept.7, 2025<\/p>\n
This news release contains updated information from the researcher that was not in the abstract. <\/p>\n
BALTIMORE, Sept.\u00a07, 2025 \u2014 Blood pressure matters at all ages. Children with higher blood pressure at age 7 may be at an increased risk of dying of cardiovascular disease<\/a> by their mid-50s, \u00a0according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association\u2019s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025<\/a>. The meeting is in Baltimore, September 4-7, 2025, and is the premier scientific exchange focused on recent advances in basic and clinical research on high blood pressure and its relationship to cardiac and kidney disease, stroke, obesity and genetics. The study is simultaneously published today in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were surprised to find that high blood pressure in childhood was linked to serious health conditions many years later. Specifically, having hypertension or elevated blood pressure as a child may increase the risk of death by 40% to 50% over the next five decades of an individual\u2019s life,\u201d said Alexa Freedman, Ph.D., lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the department of preventive medicine at the Northwestern University\u2019s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. \u201cOur results highlight the importance of screening for blood pressure in childhood<\/a> and focusing on strategies to promote optimal cardiovascular health beginning in childhood.\u201d<\/p>\n Previous research has shown that childhood blood pressure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood, and a 2022 study found that elevated blood pressure in older children (average age of 12 years) increased the risk of cardiovascular death by middle age (average age of 46 years). The current study is the first to investigate the impact of both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure in childhood on long-term cardiovascular death risk in a diverse group of children. Clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend checking blood pressure at annual well-child pediatric appointments starting at age 3 years.<\/p>\n \u201cThe results of this study support monitoring blood pressure as an important metric of cardiovascular health in childhood,\u201d said Bonita Falkner, M.D., FAHA, an American Heart Association volunteer expert. \u201cMoreover, the results of this study and other older child cohort studies with potential follow-up in adulthood will contribute to a more accurate definition of abnormal blood pressure and hypertension in childhood.\u201d Falkner, who was not involved in this study, is emeritus professor of pediatrics and medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.<\/p>\n The researchers used the National Death Index to follow up on the survival or cause of death as of 2016 for approximately 38,000 children who had their blood pressures taken at age 7 years as part of the Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP), the largest U.S. study to document the influence of pregnancy and post-natal factors on the health of children. Blood pressure measured in the children at age 7 years were converted to age-, sex-, and height-specific percentiles according to the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guidelines. The analysis accounted for demographic factors as well as for childhood body mass index, to ensure that the findings were related to childhood blood pressure itself rather than a reflection of children who were overweight or had obesity.<\/p>\n After follow-up through an average age of 54 years, the analysis found:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEven in childhood, blood pressure numbers are important because high blood pressure in children can have serious consequences throughout their lives. It is crucial to be aware of your child\u2019s blood pressure readings,\u201d Freedman said.<\/p>\n The study has several limitations, primarily that the analysis included one, single blood pressure measurement for the children at age seven, which may not capture variability or long-term patterns in childhood blood pressure. In addition, participants in the CPP were primarily Black or white, therefore the study\u2019s findings may not be generalizable to children of other racial or ethnic groups. Also, children today are likely to have different lifestyles and environmental exposures than the children who participated in the CPP in the 1960s and 1970s.<\/p>\n Study details, background and design: \u00a0<\/p>\n
Note: Oral presentation #102 is at 10:00 a.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.<\/p>\n Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association\u2019s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association\u2019s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association\u2019s scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.<\/p>\n The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Additional Resources:<\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n The American Heart Association\u2019s Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025 is a premier scientific conference dedicated to recent advancements in both basic and clinical research related to high blood pressure and its connections to cardiac and kidney diseases, stroke, obesity and genetics. The primary aim of the meeting is to bring together interdisciplinary researchers from around the globe and facilitate engagement with leading experts in the field of hypertension. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover the latest research findings and build lasting relationships with researchers and clinicians across various disciplines and career stages. Follow the conference on X using the hashtag #Hypertension25.<\/p>\n About the American Heart Association <\/p>\n The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public\u2019s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.<\/p>\n For Media Inquiries and AHA Expert Perspective: <\/p>\n AHA Communications & Media Relations\u00a0in Dallas: 214-706-1173; ahacommunications@heart.org<\/a><\/p>\n Michelle Kirkwood: Michelle.Kirkwood@heart.org<\/a><\/p>\n For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)<\/p>\n heart.org<\/a> and stroke.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Research Highlights:
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\n\tChildren who had higher blood pressure (age-, sex-, and height-specific systolic or diastolic blood pressure percentile) at age 7 were more likely to die early from cardiovascular disease as adults by their mid-50s. The risk was highest for children whose blood pressure measurements were in the top 10% for their age, sex and height.
\n\tBy 2016, a total of 2,837 participants died, with 504 of those deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease.
\n\tBoth elevated blood pressure (90-94th percentile) and hypertension (\u226595th percentile) were linked with about a 40% to 50% higher risk of early cardiovascular death in adulthood.
\n\tModerate elevations in blood pressure were also important, even among children whose blood pressure was still within the normal range. Children who had blood pressures that were moderately higher than average had a 13% (for systolic) and 18% (for diastolic) higher risk of premature cardiovascular death.
\n\tAnalysis of the 150 clusters of siblings in the CPP found that children with the higher blood pressure at age 7 had similar increases in risk of cardiovascular death when compared to their siblings with the lower blood pressure readings (15% increase for systolic and 19% for diastolic), indicating that their shared family and early childhood environment could not fully explain the impact of blood pressure.
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\n\t38,252 children born to mothers enrolled at one of 12 sites across the U.S. as part of the Collaborative Perinatal Project between 1959-1965. 50.7% of participants were male; 49.4% of mothers self-identified as Black, 46.4% reported as white; and 4.2% of participants were Hispanic, Asian or other groups.
\n\tThis analysis reviewed blood pressure taken at age 7, and these measures were converted to age-, sex-, and height-specific percentiles according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents.
\n\tSurvival through 2016 and the cause of death for the offspring of CPP participants in adulthood were retrieved through the National Death Index.
\n\tSurvival analysis was used to estimate the association between childhood blood pressure and cardiovascular death, adjusted for childhood body mass index, study site, and mother\u2019s race, education and marital status.
\n\tIn addition, the sample included 150 groups of siblings, and the researchers examined whether the sibling with higher blood pressure was more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than the sibling with lower blood pressure. This sibling analysis allowed researchers to ask how much shared family and early childhood factors might account for the mortality risk related to blood pressure. \u00a0
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