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Contrary to what you may believe, high blood pressure is not a harmless, inevitable condition that only occurs in old age. The number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure is a serious health threat to all Canadians young and old.
Concerned that high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, may be under-diagnosed among people age 18 35, new guidelines released by the Heart and Stroke Foundation advocate that it can, and should, be diagnosed and managed much earlier.
“Getting your blood pressure taken when you are 18, and knowing your numbers, should be a rite of passage, like getting a driver's license,” says Dr. Ross Feldman, spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “This is especially urgent if there is a family history of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.”
Silent, but deadly
Like high cholesterol, high blood pressure is a “silent” condition with few, if any, symptoms. In fact, experts say, it is not uncommon for a stroke to be the first indicator that a person has high blood pressure.
The new guidelines recommend doctors screen for high blood pressure and when a rise in blood pressure is detected, treat sooner and more aggressively with lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication.
A normal adult blood pressure is below 120/80. High blood pressure has been defined as over 140/90. However, in patients with diabetes or kidney disease treatment is initiated at 130/80. In the general population, the treatment goal is to reduce blood pressure to 120/80.
In Canada, about 23% of adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and of those, only 16% are treated and controlled. A further 23% are treated, but uncontrolled and 19% are not treated or controlled. In addition, it is estimated that 42% remain undiagnosed and unaware they have high blood pressure. |
16.7% 
83.3% 
