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About 1 in five young adults in their 20s and early 30s may have high blood pressure, according to a new study.

Researchers measured the blood pressure of more than 14,000 men and women between 24 and 32 years of age who were enrolled in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The findings were published online in Epidemiology.

The findings are different from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, another major study, which reported high blood pressure in 4 percent of adults 20 to 39 years of age.

The study authors did not know why the two federally funded studies had different results. They said many young people are unaware that they have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other health problems. Age, family history, obesity, ethnicity and lifestyle issues like smoking can be risk factors for high blood pressure.