Blood pressure is the measure of how hard the blood pushes against the wall
of the blood vessels.
If the blood vessels don't stretch as well as they should, they strain more
when the blood pushes against them and blood pressure rises.
High blood pressure is also sometimes called "hypertension."
What causes it?
Most causes are unknown.
It can be caused by other diseases, such as kidney or heart diseases.
Some medicines can cause high blood pressure. It usually goes down if the
medicine is stopped.
Who can get it?
Most people know that adults can have high blood pressure. But children,
and even young babies, can have high blood pressure, too.
Children who are overweight tend to have higher blood pressure than children
who aren't overweight.
A child is more likely to have high blood pressure if a parent has high
blood pressure.
It tends to be more common in African American families. The reasons why
are not clear.
Children with diabetes may have high blood pressure.
What are the signs and symptoms?
There are usually no symptoms. It is sometimes called "the silent killer."
Children typically feel fine.
The doctor should take regular tests to measure your child's blood pressure.
Standards are based on your child's age, weight, and sex. For example, a
large 5 year old boy is not expected to have the same blood pressure as a
smaller 5 year old girl.
Is it contagious?
No. High blood pressure is not contagious, but it tends to run in families.
How is it treated?
It is best if it is treated early.
Treatment depends on what is causing the high blood pressure and how high
it is.
If high blood pressure is caused by a disease, such as diabetes, treating
the disease will usually get it to return to normal.
Changes in diet and exercise may help.
Children should eat a healthy diet. They should cut down on food high in
salt (sodium) and fat. They should eat foods that are low in salt and fat.
They should exercise each day. They can walk, jog, dance, swim, do aerobics,
or other activities they enjoy.
Some children may need to lose weight.
Sometimes, medication can help.
Children sometimes don't understand the need for treatment because they
feel fine. They may not want to change their diet. Explain to them why it
is important. Support them. Exercise with them. Eat healthy with them.
Children with high blood pressure should not smoke and should avoid second-hand
smoke. Parents can help by not smoking around the child.
Help your child avoid stress and caffeine.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious problems, such
as strokes, seizures, heart failure, and kidney damage.
How long does it last?
High blood pressure can be treated in children.
With medication, exercise, or changes in diet, it usually goes down.
Can it be prevented?
Children should have regular blood pressure tests beginning at age 3.
Children with a family history of high blood pressure should especially
be monitored closely.
If your family has a history of high blood pressure, change your lifestyle
to help prevent high blood pressure in your children. Eat healthy and exercise
and your children are likely to do the same.
When should I call the doctor?
Call your doctor if your child needs to have her blood pressure tested (should
test regularly beginning at age 3).
Call your doctor if your child is overweight and may have high blood pressure.
Call your doctor if you think your child could have high blood pressure,
especially if there is a family history of it.
Quick Answers
High blood pressure is also sometimes called "hypertension."
The cause is sometimes unknown, but it may be caused by medicine, another
disease, or obesity.
Children who are overweight are at greater risk for high blood pressure.
There are usually no symptoms. Children usually feel fine.
High blood pressure is not contagious, but it tends to run in families.
Changes in diet and exercise often help lower blood pressure.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious problems.
Children should have regular blood pressure tests beginning at age 3.
Call the doctor if you have a family history of high blood pressure and
would like your child tested.
References
American Heart Association. High Blood Pressure in Children. 2001 (cited
2002 February 11). URL: http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4609
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The Risks of High Blood Pressure.
2001 (cited 2002 February 11). URL: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/Health_Topics/Young_And_Healthy_Online/Archives/1996/Summer/sum96highbp.htm
HeartCenterOnline. High Blood Pressure in Children. (cited 2002 February
11). URL: http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/common/articles.cfm?ARTID=348
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