Physicians Often Ignore High Blood Pressure in Young Adults

Two thirds of young adults with high blood pressure remain undiagnosed after 4 years of regular visits with their doctors, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association meeting on Tuesday.

Researchers analyzed the medical records of nearly 14,000 adults who had regular visits with their clinicians and several elevated BP measurements that met criteria for hypertension. Among the other findings:

• Patients aged 18 to 24 were more likely to be undiagnosed than those aged 60 and older (67% vs. 54%).

• Nearly 60% of younger patients remained undiagnosed throughout their 30s.

• Young adults were more likely to be undiagnosed if they were current smokers.

• Family practice physicians were less likely than internists — and male physicians were less likely than females — to diagnose hypertension.