Hypertension detection, treatment and control in young adults in Australia

BackgroundYoung adult hypertension increases risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) but is often overlooked. We aimed to identify opportunities to reduce blood pressure (BP) among younger adults by determining the drivers of hypertension detection, treatment and control in young adults in Australia. MethodsCross-sectional analysis of adults aged 18-39 years using nationally representative 2017-18 Australian National Health Survey data. Descriptive analyses were performed to determine hypertension prevalence, detection, treatment and control by sex, health services interaction, geographical location and socioeconomic status, with subgroup analyses among those with co-existing cardiometabolic risk factors. Hypertension was defined as self-reported diagnosis, treatment, and/or measured BP[&ge;]140/90mmHg. Detection was defined as self-reported hypertension, treatment as taking [&ge;]1 antihypertensive class, and control as BP<140/90mmHg. ResultsThe survey sample (n=5,217) was representative of N=7,533,625 adults aged 18-39 years (49.9% women). Hypertension prevalence was 11.2% (95% CI: 11.1% to 11.2%). Among those with hypertension, detection was 13.5%, treatment was 6.5% and control was 4.3%. These rates were influenced by factors related to healthcare access, for example, young adults who had a recent BP check and resided in major cities had higher rates than their counterparts. ConclusionsOne in ten young Australians adult have hypertension, yet only 13.5% are detected. Differences in detection, treatment and control rates were partly explained by factors related to healthcare access. There is a need to better detect and manage high BP in young adults, potentially by developing tailored approaches that are specific to different contexts and ultimately supporting prevention of CVD in later life.