What is the link between blood pressure in your 30s and heart health later in life?

According to the study, people with 'normal but high' blood pressure in their 30s and 40s face a 77% reduction in heart blood flow by age 77, significantly increasing their risk of heart attack and stroke.

How does the rate of blood pressure increase affect heart health?

The research found that every 10-point rise in systolic blood pressure between ages 36 and 69 was linked to up to a 6% drop in heart blood flow by 77. The impact was most pronounced for those aged 43 to 63, where a 10-point increase was associated with a 12% reduction in heart blood flow.

What is the long-term impact of consistently high blood pressure from a young age?

The study discovered that people with high blood pressure from 36 were 33% more likely to suffer a major cardiovascular event later in life, even when accounting for other risk factors like age, sex, and lifestyle.

Home / Health / Thirties Blood Pressure Linked to Heart Attack Risk Decades Later

Thirties Blood Pressure Linked to Heart Attack Risk Decades Later

10 Nov

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Summary

People with 'normal but high' blood pressure in 30s-40s face 77% reduced heart blood flow by 77
Every 10-point rise in blood pressure between 36-69 linked to 6% drop in heart blood flow
Consistently high blood pressure from 36 raises major cardiovascular event risk by 33%

Thirties Blood Pressure Linked to Heart Attack Risk Decades Later

According to a study published in November 2025, people in their 30s and 40s with 'normal but high' blood pressure may be at an elevated risk of heart attack or stroke later in life. The research, conducted by experts at University College London, followed 505 participants over 40 years and found that higher blood pressure readings as early as age 36 can significantly impact heart health by age 77.

The study revealed that every 10-point increase in systolic blood pressure between ages 36 and 69 was associated with up to a 6% reduction in blood flow to the heart in later life. The impact was most pronounced for those aged 43 to 63, where a 10-point rise in blood pressure was linked to a 12% drop in heart blood flow by 77. Researchers also discovered that those with consistently high blood pressure from 36 were 33% more likely to suffer a major cardiovascular event, even when accounting for other risk factors.