Galway Bay fm newsroom - A new study at NUI Galway has revealed increased serious health risks for young people suffering from a rare form of high blood pressure.
It found that younger patients with high diastolic blood pressure are specifically more at risk of suffering a cardiovascular event or death.
The research was led by Professor William McEvoy, Professor of Preventive Cardiology at NUI Galway, consultant cardiologist at Galway University Hospitals and Medical Director of the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health.
While Isolated Diastolic Hypertension, or IDH, is less common than other forms of blood pressure, it can be seen in up to 11 percent of the population and is more common in younger adults.
The NUI Galway study on its effects across a range of age categories examined more than 11 thousand patients worldwide.
All underwent a 24-hour blood pressure assessment known as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, which provides a far more accurate result than the use of office-based blood pressure.
The research found that over 50s with high diastolic blood pressure and normal systolic blood pressure are not at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, in younger patients, the condition increases the risk for cardiovascular events like heart attacks, or death.
Researchers say the findings do not lead to a clear recommendation for young adults with IDH to be treated with blood pressure lowering medications.
They recommend that patients under 50 make healthy changes to their lifestyle and ensure regular blood pressure checks with their doctor.
