High blood pressure is usually thought of as a problem for adults. But new research shows it may actually begin much earlier in life—even at birth.
A recent study from Belgium found that babies born with high blood pressure are more likely to have high blood pressure again later in childhood. This could mean that heart health problems start earlier than we previously believed.
The study was part of the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort and followed 500 healthy children in Belgium. Researchers tracked the children’s blood pressure starting at birth and continued checking it as the children reached preschool age (around 4 to 6 years old) and school age (9 to 11 years old). The goal was to see if early blood pressure readings could predict future problems.
They found that babies who had higher blood pressure at birth or in early childhood were about 3.75 times more likely to develop high blood pressure by school age. This shows that blood pressure habits and problems can begin much earlier than expected. The results were published in JAMA Network Open, a respected medical journal.
This discovery challenges the common idea that heart disease is only something to worry about in adulthood. High blood pressure in adults can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs over time.
It’s known as a “silent killer” because it often causes no symptoms until serious damage has already happened. But since it is a treatable condition, catching it early can help prevent long-term health issues.
The researchers behind the study say that blood pressure should be checked regularly starting at birth. If doctors begin monitoring blood pressure early in life, they might be able to catch problems before they become serious. This could help lower the risk of heart disease later on.
The ENVIRONAGE study is the first to continuously monitor blood pressure from birth through different stages of childhood. The study began in 2010 and ended in 2024, following children from birth to age 11.
Blood pressure was measured shortly after birth, again in preschool years, and again at school age. This long-term approach gave scientists a clear picture of how blood pressure changes as children grow.
To make sense of the results, the researchers used guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. They divided the children into three groups based on how their blood pressure changed over time.
The first group, called “trackers,” had stable blood pressure that stayed within the same range. The second group, called “horse racers,” started with low blood pressure but saw it rise to higher levels later. The third group, the “nontrackers,” started high but saw their blood pressure drop.
About 80% of the children were in the tracker group, meaning their blood pressure stayed within the same range over time. But the researchers noticed that children who had high blood pressure at birth or early childhood were much more likely to still have it at school age. This shows that early readings are important for predicting future problems.
The findings highlight how important it is to pay attention to blood pressure from the start of life. If doctors can catch high blood pressure early, they may be able to suggest lifestyle changes—like healthier eating and more physical activity—or treatment plans to help reduce the risk of heart disease as these children grow up.
Overall, this study sends a clear message: good heart health begins at birth. Monitoring and managing blood pressure early in life may help prevent major health problems later. It also shows the value of long-term studies that follow children over time to better understand how early life conditions affect future health.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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