COLUMBIA, S.C. - Marvin Gallman knew at 15 his blood pressure was too high. It took 18 years, an enlarged heart and 5 pounds of fluid on his lungs to frighten him into doing something about it.

"I just grew up eating the wrong kinds of foods and I feel that may have been the problem," the Saluda, S.C., resident said.

Four years later, Gallman, 37, takes five pills a day, changed his diet and does a variety of physical activities. "It's a good thing I went to the doctor in time or I don't think I'd be here telling this story," he said.

Gallman's story proves Grandma and Grandpa aren't the only ones battling high blood pressure.

The disease is affecting a growing number of youths and young adults who are part of a world where high stress and fast food are more common than a healthy lifestyle.

Local doctors and nutritionists say they see kids as young as 9 who have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

Why are more young people joining the nearly 50 million Americans with high blood pressure? Not enough youths are eating healthy. Even fewer exercise.

"It's just getting worse," said Jeannette Jordan, a Charleston-based dietitian and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Jordan estimates more than a third of today's youths are overweight, one of the leading causes of high blood pressure.

"A lot of kids are content sitting in front of a computer, playing video games or watching television. The inactivity along with obesity are primary reasons why we're seeing those with high blood pressure getting younger."

Dr. Leon Khoury, a cardiologist and president of the South Carolina Heart Center in Columbia, said more young people are also being diagnosed with high blood pressure because of the increase in screenings and frequent doctor visits.

"The incidents may be higher, but there are more patients, particularly in their 20s, who are coming in for checkups," said Khoury, Gallman's physician. "And parents who know there's a family history and bring their children to the doctor."

But parents should play a more active role in other areas before the doctor's visit, Jordan said.

She suggests parents have more fruits and vegetables available as snacks and control what their children eat at fast-food restaurants.

One in five Americans has high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. Of those, 15 percent aren't on a special diet or medication to control it and 27 percent are taking the proper precautions.

The illness killed 44,435 Americans in 1998 and contributed to the deaths of about 210,000. African-Americans are most -- affected. High blood pressure could lead to kidney failure, heart attack or stroke. There are rarely symptoms, but some patients have experienced dizziness, headaches or blurred vision.

The longer high blood pressure goes undetected, the more difficult it is to treat, especially in young people, Khoury said. "I've seen a lot of young adults come in, get on the medication and have heart failure," he said.

It's unclear what triggers high blood pressure, doctors say. Family history and an unhealthy diet are factors. Stress on the job could also contribute, Jordan said.

"We look at the success older people have and think they got it overnight and we start working like crazy to get it, too," Jordan said. "It makes us more busy and more stressful."

High blood pressure is controllable. Doctors may suggest lifestyle changes, such as a different diet, more exercise or medication.

　　From Healthy.net