Male adolescents who consume alcohol and teenage girls who are on the pill are more likely to have high blood pressure in later life, according to results from a large pregnancy follow-up study in Australia.

In addition, consuming too much salt and increasing body mass index (BMI) were associated with blood pressure levels in both sexes in late adolescence.

According to the researchers, the difference in blood pressure between adolescents with a healthier lifestyle and those with a less favorable lifestyle “are likely to significantly affect their risk of both ischemic heart disease and stroke in adulthood.”

They continue:

“Adolescence is a time of life when behaviors tend to become entrenched,” and that “significant public health benefits may be achieved from implementation of a range of gender-appropriate lifestyle modifications within this age group of adolescents.”

Between 1989 and 1992, 2,868 children were born to mothers who participated in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) study. 1,771 of these children, now adolescents, were available for the study.

Study participant were asked about smoking, dietary patterns, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and prescription medications (including the use of oral contraceptives). The researchers then calculated the association between each of these factors and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

The team found that girls not taking the Pill had an overall systolic blood pressure 9 mmHg lower than boys. Among the boys, the researchers found that BMI, alcohol consumption and urinary sodium were strongly linked with systolic blood pressure, and the association with salt and alcohol remained even when adjusted for BMI. Lower diastolic blood pressure was associated with regular physical exercise.

According to the researchers:

  • 24% of the teenagers were pre-hypertensive or hypertensive
  • 34% of overweight teenagers were either pre-hypertensive or hypertensive
  • 38% of obese adolescents were either pre-hypertensive or hypertensive

The team also found that girls who took the Pill were more likely to have high blood pressure. Results showed that the systolic blood pressure of girls taking the Pill (30% of the group) was 3.3 mmHg higher than those not on the Pill, and grew higher with increasing BMI. Alcohol consumption among girls did not affect blood pressure.

In an associated comment, Dr. Chi Le-Ha from the Royal Perth Hospital, Australia, explained:

“Adolescents need to be aware that a lifestyle which predisposes to fatness, high salt intake and alcohol consumption may lead to adverse health consequences in adult life. The effects are additive and already associated with hypertension. Moreover, teenage girls taking oral contraceptives should be advised about regular blood pressure monitoring.”

Written by Grace Rattue