This month’s issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine contains an article linking prehypertension in young to middle aged adults to the future development of calcium buildup in the coronary arteries.  Calcification of the coronary arteries is one sign of atherosclerosis and a stong predictor of heart attack and or stroke.

Researcher Mark J. Pletcher, MD, MPH, of the University of California, San Fransisco stated in a news release that “Our findings suggest the possibility that pre-hypertension itself is harmful, and not just because it is associated with subsequent [high blood pressure].  People with a lot of calcium in their coronary arteries are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes, and these outcomes might be avoidable by keeping blood pressure low when you’re young.”

The correlation between high blood pressure earlier in life and future cardiovascular disease has been well established for decades, however this new research pinpoints that even slightly elevated blood pressure increases the risk for vascular calcification which in turn increases the risk for heart disease.

The study, which analyzed 15-20 years of blood pressure readings from 3,560 adults aged from 18 to 30, culminated in CT scans to evaluate levels of coronary arterial calcium, or calcification.  The results showed that nearly 1 out of every 5 people developed prehypertension prior to turning 35 years old and that prehypertension was significantly associated with calcification later in life.   The study also showed that the longer a young person had prehypertension, the more significant the build-up of calcification.   The study reports that the top number, diastolic, was more predictive than the bottom number, systolic.

The researchers stated in the article that “Prehypertension during young adulthood is common and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis 20 years later.”  The study indicated that certain population segments elucidated trends that showed those who were African-American, male, overweight, and of a low socioeconomic status were more likely to develop  prehypertension while those with a college degree, makin over $25,000 per year were 50% less likely to develop prehypertension.

Additionally, the study showed that people who develop prehypertension prior to turning 35 also exhibited a stronger likelyhood to develop diabetes, have low HDL, and high blood pressure later in life.

The American Heart Association puts forth recommendations regarding hypertension that includes; watching your weight, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and getting regular exercise to help keep your blood pressure in check and prevent hypertension.

In addition, various dietary supplements may be beneficial in addressing cardiovascular health.  For instance, the American Heart Association also indicates that omega-3 fatty acids from fish may help reduce the risk of heart disease and sudden death by major cardiac event by as much as 50%.   Emerging research shows that Coenzyme Q10 may have a beneficial impact on blood pressure in addition to its potent antioxidant activity.  Phytosterols, plant sterols, have been shown to help prevent the absorption of cholesterol from the diet, thereby lowering total cholesterol levels, and emerging research shows that tocotrienols act on the enzyme that makes LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the liver.

PanGenex, in conjunction with its physician partners, has combined these 4 ingredients in LIPIDEME, promoting heart health the advanced way.   One serving of LIPIDEME provides the amount of each ingredient as recommended or endorsed by the US Food and Drug Administration and American Heart Association.  Visit www.HeartHealthyWorld.com to learn more, for your health and for your heart!

Article written by Jim Mosbaugh, Vice President with PanGenex Corporation.  Visit www.PanGenex.com for more information.

The above article written referencing the full report titled “Prehypertension during Young Adulthood and Coronary Calcium Later in Life.” It is in the 15 July 2008 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 149, pages 91-99). The authors are M.J. Pletcher, K. Bibbins-Domingo, C.E. Lewis, G.S. Wei, S. Sidney, J.J. Carr, E. Vittinghoff, C.E. McCulloch, and S.B. Hulley.

Click here to view the complete article: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/summary/149/2/91