Uric Acid Linked to High Blood Pressure in Teens
Teenagers with extra uric acid in their blood are more likely to have high blood pressure, a study found. Uric acid is a by-product of the breakdown of a biological molecule and is excreted in urine. Too much uric acid in the body—either due to genetic, dietary, or other factors—is associated with health problems, including obesity and diabetes, though its effect on health hasn't been widely studied in young people. This study doesn't prove that uric acid causes high blood pressure in adolescents, but if the researchers do establish a link, it could lead to new blood pressure treatments that target uric acid.
Source: Hypertension, published online Feb. 21, 2012