A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Life‐Course Blood Pressure Levels, 38‐Year Tracking, and Prediction of Hypertension
Authors: Iiskala, Fiia; Meng, Yaxing; Juonala, Markus; Magnussen, Costan G.; Pahkala, Katja; Hutri, Nina; Kähönen, Mika; Lehtimäki, Terho; Fogelholm, Mikael; Jokinen, Eero; Laitinen, Tomi P.; Taittonen, Leena; Tossavainen, Päivi; Jula, Antti; Viikari, Jorma; Raitakari, Olli; Rovio, Suvi
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Journal of the American Heart Association
Article number: e041805
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
eISSN: 2047-9980
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.041805
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.124.041805
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508377900
Background
Elevated childhood blood pressure (BP) levels may persist into adulthood, and persistent exposure to elevated BP since childhood may increase the adulthood risk of hypertension. This study examined the tracking of childhood BP into adulthood over 38 years. We also studied the association between long‐term cumulative BP exposure in childhood and adolescence and the risk of developing hypertension in adulthood.
MethodsParticipants were from the YFS (Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study) that began in 1980 (N=3596; ages 3–18 years). The cohort was remeasured in 1983, 1986, 1989, 2001, 2007, 2011, and 2018 through 2020. In total, 2064 attended the latest study visit (45% men; ages 40–58 years; average follow‐up, 38.0 years). BP was measured repeatedly using standard methods. Cumulative BP exposure was defined using area under the curve. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, self‐reported use of antihypertensive medication, or diagnosis of hypertension given by a physician.
ResultsA weak correlation was observed between childhood (baseline ages 3–18 years) and adulthood BP (latest follow‐up, ages 41–56 years): r=0.298 (P<0.0001) in females and r=0.187 (P<0.0001) in males. Long‐term cumulative exposure to elevated BP (highest versus lowest systolic BP quartile) between ages 6 and 12 years was associated with higher risk of hypertension in adulthood both in females (hazard ratio [HR], 3.85 [95% CI, 2.87–5.17]) and in males (HR, 2.66 [95% CI, 2.07–3.42]).
ConclusionsThese data indicate that long‐term cumulative exposure to elevated BP levels in childhood/adolescence are associated with a substantially increased risk of adult hypertension.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
Funding information in the publication:
The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study was financially supported by the Academy of Finland (grants 356405, 322098, 286284, 134309 [Eye], 126925, 121584, 124282, 129378 [Salve], 117797 [Gendi], and 141071 [Skidi]); the Social Insurance Institution of Finland; Competitive State Research Financing of the Expert Responsibility area of Kuopio, Tampere and Turku University Hospitals (grant X51001); Juho Vainio Foundation; Paavo Nurmi Foundation; Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research; Finnish Cultural Foundation; The Sigrid Juselius Foundation; Tampere Tuberculosis Foundation; Emil Aaltonen Foundation; Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation; Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation; Diabetes Research Foundation of Finnish Diabetes Association; EU Horizon 2020 (grant 755320 for TAXINOMISIS and grant 848146 for To Aition); European Research Council (grant 742927 for MULTIEPIGEN project); Tampere University Hospital Supporting Foundation; Finnish Society of Clinical Chemistry; the Cancer Foundation Finland; pBETTER4U_EU (Preventing Obesity Through Biologically and Behaviorally Tailored Interventions for You; project number: 101080117); CVDLink (EU grant no. 101137278); the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and the Urmas Pekkala Foundation. K.P. is supported by an Academy of Finland research fellowship (322112).
