THE INCREASE IN CASES OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH HYPERTENSION: ITS CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the significant increase in high blood pressure among young people, a phenomenon that has been growing and worrying for health professionals and researchers in recent decades. Several interrelated factors contribute to high blood pressure in individuals under 30, including a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excessive salt and alcohol consumption, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, obesity, and genetic predisposition. In addition to behavioral factors, environmental factors such as urbanization, high population density, pollution, and a fast-paced lifestyle increase cardiovascular risk in this population. The research is an integrative review of recent scientific literature, encompassing epidemiological studies, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published between 2018 and 2025, focusing on risk factors and prevention strategies aimed at young people. The results show that poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle are the main modifiable determinants of early hypertension, while family history and genetic predisposition significantly increase individual vulnerability. Given this scenario, public policies, educational programs from childhood, encouraging regular physical activity, controlling the consumption of ultra-processed foods, and adopting digital technologies for health monitoring emerge as effective strategies for preventing and controlling hypertension. The conclusion is that integrating behavioral, environmental, and technological approaches is essential to reduce the incidence of hypertension among young people, promote healthy lifestyle habits, and strengthen the culture of cardiovascular prevention from early adulthood.