INCREASING PREVALENCE OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE: ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES
Abstract
Arterial hypertension (AH) has traditionally been considered a disease of middle-aged and elderly populations. However, over the past two decades, epidemiological data have demonstrated a concerning rise in the prevalence of elevated blood pressure among adolescents and young adults. This shift represents a significant public health challenge, as early-onset hypertension increases lifetime cardiovascular risk and predisposes individuals to premature morbidity and mortality. The growing burden of hypertension in young populations is multifactorial and associated with lifestyle transitions, urbanization, psychosocial stress, dietary changes, physical inactivity, obesity, genetic susceptibility, and environmental influences. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes contributing to the increasing prevalence of arterial hypertension among young people. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying early-onset hypertension are examined alongside epidemiological trends and modifiable risk factors. Special emphasis is placed on lifestyle-related determinants and preventive strategies.