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.

Experts say these findings underscore the importance of monitoring blood pressure from a young age, as the heart 'remembers' decades of exposure to higher readings. They now plan to launch clinical trials to determine if early treatment could help slash the risk of heart attack and stroke in those with elevated but 'normal' blood pressure in their 30s and 40s.