Arterial hypertension in adolescents and young adults

Arterial hypertension is one the most important risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in general population of middle and older age beeing present in 30-40% of population. In adolescents and younge people, the prevalence of hypertension is much lower (2-10%), the patients have lower total cardiovascular risk, are being less frequently treated and it takes a longer time to see the benefitial effects of the therapy. Nevertheless, hypertension in young people needs to be diagnosed and treated because it is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. In all yound patients with hypertension, all necessary investations to reveal the its etiology (esp. renal hypertension) and possible hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) should be performed. Treatment is focus on non-pharmacological measured and in case of secondary hypertension, presence of symptoms or HMOD, pharmacological therapy is necessary (ACE-inhibitors, beta-blockers, ARB, calcium-channel blockers, diuretics).

Keywords: blood pressure, arterial hypertension, kidney disease, hypertensive mediated organ damage.