Half a Million Young Veterans Have High Blood Pressure, Study Finds

Nearly half a million post-9/11 U.S. veterans, averaging 33 years old, have been identified with high blood pressure, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The research, led by Dr. Tiffany Chang from the CDC, reveals that about half of these cases were undiagnosed and a quarter untreated, despite veterans receiving care within the Veterans Health Administration system. This study is among the first to focus on younger veterans, who face unique risk factors like PTSD and combat exposure that elevate their cardiovascular risk.

The analysis of over one million veterans found that 45% met the clinical definition of high blood pressure. Men and Black veterans were more likely to have the condition, while women and Hispanic veterans faced higher rates of undiagnosed cases. Specifically, women with high blood pressure were 17% more likely to be undiagnosed than men, and Hispanic veterans were 5% more likely to be undiagnosed and 7% more likely to be untreated compared to white veterans. Black veterans, despite higher prevalence, had more primary care visits and were less likely to have undiagnosed or untreated hypertension.

Dr. Daniel W. Jones, an American Heart Association expert, emphasized the disturbing trend of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension in young adults within the VA system, warning of future risks like heart disease, stroke, dementia, and kidney disease. The study underscores the need for early prevention strategies, particularly for high-risk groups, and promotes the Association’s Life’s Essential 8™ metrics for optimal heart health. With nearly half of all U.S. adults having high blood pressure, this research highlights a critical gap in veteran healthcare.