Hypertension Affects 1 in 5 Young Cancer Survivors, Global Study Finds

As cancer survival rates improve globally, attention has increasingly turned to the long-term health consequences faced by survivors. One of the most pressing concerns is cardiovascular health, particularly hypertension, a modifiable risk factor known to increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions. Despite its known risks, the extent and persistence of high blood pressure in young cancer survivors have not been thoroughly understood until now.

To better quantify this risk, the researchers conducted a comprehensive search of four major databases—PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science—focusing on studies involving childhood and AYA cancer survivors who had completed treatment. A total of 91 studies comprising data from 86,132 individuals were included in the analysis.

The researchers reported the following findings:

• Around 20.35% of childhood and young adult cancer survivors were found to have hypertension, according to pooled estimates.
• Hypertension prevalence increased over time after cancer treatment, reaching 16.60% within the first 10 years.
• Between 10 to 20 years post-treatment, the rate slightly rose to 17.48%.
• Beyond 20 years, the prevalence of hypertension significantly increased to 32.12%.
• Meta-regression analysis confirmed a steady rise in hypertension risk starting early after treatment and continuing over time.
• Survivors of kidney tumors showed the highest prevalence of hypertension at 24.80%, indicating a possible link between specific cancer types or treatments and long-term cardiovascular damage.

These results highlight the sustained vulnerability of childhood and AYA cancer survivors to hypertension and related complications. The authors stress that routine monitoring and proactive management of blood pressure should be an integral part of survivorship care. Early identification and long-term follow-up are essential to mitigate cardiovascular risks and enhance the quality and longevity of life for this growing survivor population.

The authors concluded, "The study makes a compelling case for integrating cardiovascular risk assessment into cancer follow-up protocols and tailoring hypertension management strategies to meet the unique needs of survivors from a young age. As the survivor population continues to grow globally, such measures could play a pivotal role in reducing preventable cardiovascular deaths and improving overall health outcomes."

Reference:

Asai, M., Tokoro, T., Komura, N., Minegishi, S., Horigome, A., Hattori, K., Ishii, S., Hanajima, Y., Okazaki, Y., Horita, N., Ishigami, T., Hibi, K., Yano, Y., Nishiyama, A., & Node, K. (2025). Prevalence and management of hypertension in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hypertension Research, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-025-02276-y