The risk and causes of high blood pressure in adults are well-documented, but not many know that children can also suffer from the deadly condition.
The harsh reality is, children, teens and babies can have this disease, also known as hypertension. The good news is that with early detection and treatment, the long-term effects on health can be reduced or eliminated.
A Yearly Checkup Recommended
The recommendation of the American Heart Association is that all children have their blood pressure measured each year. Normal blood pressure in children depends on their age, gender and height. Your child’s doctor can determine a healthy blood pressure reading for your child based on all of these factors.
What Are the Risk Factors for Hypertension in Children?
• Diseases — Like adults, children can develop high blood pressure (HBP) due to various diseases such as heart and kidney disease. This is known as secondary hypertension and once the disease is remedied, the blood pressure often returns to normal levels.
• Medications — There are certain medications that cause HBP as a side effect, but when the medicine is discontinued the blood pressure usually lowers to normal.
• Obesity — Excess weight or obesity is considered to be the primary risk factor for high blood pressure in children. There are health problems that can contribute to obesity, but usually it is caused by too much food, or the wrong types of food, such as unhealthy snacks and drinks that are high in sugar. A lack of sufficient exercise and activity can also lead to obesity.
Many children do not exercise enough each day and may spend a great deal of time in sedentary activities such as playing video games and watching television. If your chils has been diagnosed with a heart condition, it can still be safe to exercise with the consent of your family physician.
Treatment for Hypertension in Children
Research is still underway on the best way to treat children with HBP, but in general it is the same recommended lifestyle changes that are given to adults. Work with your child’s doctor to find the treatment that will work best for your child. General guidelines include:
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, also known as the DASH eating plan has been consistently rated highly as a very healthy diet. It is plant-focused and emphasizes fruits and vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Also included are low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, poultry and heart-healthy fats.
Following the DASH diet and increasing regular exercise can help your child lose weight. Ask your doctor to help with a weight-loss plan.
Protect your child from secondhand smoke since it can raise blood pressure levels and damage the heart and blood vessels.
By working along with your doctor to develop a comprehensive plan for healthy habits for your child, you can help control your child’s blood pressure and build good habits for a lifetime.
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