Raised BP in younger people predicts later cardiac events

People in their 30s may risk a heart attack or stroke in later life even when they have ‘normal’ blood pressure (BP), if it’s steeply rising, according to research supported by the British Heart Foundation

The study of more than 450 British people, called MyoFit46, found people with higher BP in their 30s and 40s, had reduced blood flow to their heart muscle at age 77.

The more years people spent with higher BP, and the more sharply it rose, the larger the reduction in blood flow to their heart. This reduced blood flow was found to be linked to a greater risk of having a heart attack, stroke or heart failure in later life.

The risk from higher or fast-rising BP was seen from as young an age as 36, even if people didn’t meet the current criteria for a diagnosis of hypertension.

Researchers said clinicians should track people’s long-term patterns and watch out for people who have ‘normal’ BP which is rising steeply. These people could be offered advice to change their lifestyles, such as through diet and exercise, or be given medications to control their BP.

Topriceanu, CC et al.Circ Cardiovasc Imaging; November 2025. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.125.019105