A new study has found women may be at higher risk for high blood pressure than men.

Doctors say while women tend to develop heart disease about a decade later than men, new research now suggests that blood pressure rises faster and earlier in women than men.

The study published in the journal JAMA Cardiology tracked nearly 33,000 people over more than four decades.

Researchers discovered sharper increases in blood pressure for women starting in their 20s, with those increases continuing throughout their lives.

“The importance is recognizing it early and treat it early,” says Dr. Richard Shlofmitz, chairman of cardiology at St. Francis Hospital.

Dr. Richard Shlofmitz adds the results of the study mean men and women should be equally as concerned about heart health, lifestyle and diet.

“When should somebody come for a cardiac evaluation if you're a man or woman? Well, if you have high cholesterol, diabetes, if you smoke, you're overweight and you don't exercise, those are the classical risk factors or family history. If you have an increased risk by family history, you should be evaluated early on in your 30s or 40s,” Dr. Shlofmitz says.