PITTSBURGH -- A new study shows one very common link in young adults that can put them on the path to a dangerous health problem.

The condition is called pre-hypertension and researchers say not only is it very common in young adults, it's also a powerful predictor of future heart attacks, strokes, and even diabetes

Teroll Melton was on his way to heart trouble and diabetes, until he joined a study. It may have saved his life.

"It taught me how to take care of myself a little bit better. How to know the right things to eat, how to do exercises and things of that nature. It really kind of opened my eyes," Melton said.

Teroll, now 46, learned he had pre-hypertension.

Normal blood pressure is considered 120 over 80 or below. Pre-hypertension is defined as 120 to 139 over 80 to 89. This new study says anyone with those numbers is heading down a big road to health problems.

Researchers found pre-hypertension during young adulthood is linked to calcifications in coronary arteries.

"Calcium is a marker of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries or atherosclerotic plaques that can lead to heart attacks later," said study author Dr. Mark Pletcher.

Not a surprise to pediatric cardiologists like Dr. Eric Quivers who said he sees pre-hypertension in children.

'"The children we take care of today, become adolescents, also become young adults," Quivers said.

Researchers spent 20 years analyzing the blood pressure measurements of 3,500 young adults between the ages of 18 and 30. Twenty percent had pre-hypertension before age 35.

Anyone can be at risk but pre-hypertension was most common in black, overweight males of low socioeconomic status. Clinicians say in today's world stress is another major factor in developing pre-hypertension.

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