Title: Hypertension Prevalence And Key Risk Factors Among U.S. Young Adults (Aged 18 – 34): A Cross-Sectional Study On The Impact Of Smoking, Vaping And Lifestyle Choices

Background: Hypertension has traditionally been associated with older adults. However, it is now becoming increasingly common among young adults in the United States, which raises significant public health concerns. Nearly one in five young adults has hypertension. Unfortunately, this condition often goes undiagnosed and poorly managed due to low engagement with healthcare and its asymptomatic progression. The growing prevalence of hypertension in this age group is mainly influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors, including smoking, vaping, excessive alcohol consumption, poor dietary choices, and physical inactivity. While traditional cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor, the rising popularity of e-cigarettes (vaping) raises new concerns about their potential impact on hypertension risk. This study examines the prevalence of hypertension among young adults and explores the associations between smoking, vaping, and lifestyle factors that contribute to elevated blood pressure.

 Methodology: This study used a cross-sectional research design, analyzing datafrom the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The final sample comprised young adults aged 18 to 34 years, selected by filtering the NHANES dataset. Blood pressure measurements were conducted in accordance with the guidelines set by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), which define hypertension as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 mmHg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 mmHg or higher. Key variables in the study included smoking, vaping, dietary habits, physical activity, and alcohol consumption, all of which were self-reported and validated through clinical measurements. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression models were applied to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and examine its associations with modifiable risk factors. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore disparities across different demographic groups.

Results: The study found that 34.8% of young adults had hypertension, with a higher prevalence among males and older age groups. Females had significantly lower odds of hypertension, and each additional year of age was associated with increased risk. BMI and high sodium intake were positively associated with hypertension. In contrast, smoking, vaping, binge drinking, and low physical activity did not show strong associations, though patterns were directionally consistent with existing literature.

Discussions: These findings emphasize the urgent need for early screening and preventive measures to lower hypertension rates among young adults. Public health strategies should focus on modifiable risk factors, such as diet, weight management, and physical activity, while also taking demographic disparities into account. Additionally, longitudinal research is essential to establish causal connections between lifestyle behaviors and the development of hypertension over time.

Keywords: Hypertension, young adults, smoking, vaping, lifestyle risk factors.

Chair: Dr. Ike Okosun