Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Has Increased in Young Adults

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the United States has increased in young adults within one decade. On March 5, 2023, Rahul Aggarwal, MD, and his colleagues published an investigation in JAMA that analyzed cardiovascular risk factor prevalence, treatment, and control in adults between 20 and 44. The data focused on the changes between 2009 and March 2020, finding disproportionate impacts on minority populations.

The researchers conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Focusing on adults between 20 and 44, the investigators looked at data sets from 2009–2010 to 2017–March 2020.

One of the first risk factors that Aggarwal and his colleagues focused on was hypertension. Between 2017 and 2020, the prevalence of hypertension was 11.5%, a slight increase (2.2%) from 2009 to 2010. Across both date ranges, Black adults had hypertension rates nearly double the overall average, with a prevalence of 20.1%. Additionally, the prevalence of hypertension among Mexican American adults increased from 6.5% to 9.5% across the two periods, a 46% increase.

When looking at hypertension treatment, the data showed that 65% of those who had hypertension treatment in 2009 or 2010 were able to manage their blood pressure. A similar proportion of those treated from 2017 to 2020 (74.8%) was able to manage their blood pressure.

Beyond hypertension, the researchers looked at diabetes as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, noting a significant rise in diabetes incidence. According to the article, the diabetes rate rose from 3.0% to 4.1%. Among Mexican American adults, diabetes incidence increased by 3.2%, reaching 7.5%. Diabetes treatment did not lead to adequate glycemic control in either dataset.

Finally, the researchers analyzed obesity, finding an 8.2% increase in obesity incidence. Furthermore, the clinicians looked at hyperlipidemia rates, noting a 4.4% decline.

The researchers concluded the study by saying, “In the US, diabetes and obesity increased among young adults from 2009 to March 2020, while hypertension did not change and hyperlipidemia declined. There was variation in trends by race and ethnicity.” However, they note that additional research is needed to confirm these findings.