Children and teens often ignore high blood pressure or hypertension as a significant health issue. Children should be examined annually for hypertension beginning at three or at each visit if risk indicators are present. The term hypertension refers to blood- pressure above the 95th percentile for a child’s age, height, and gender younger than 13. In teenagers older than 13, increased blood pressure is defined as systolic blood pressure of 120 to 129 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of less than 80 mm Hg, while hypertension is defined as blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or more. Confirming hypertension in children and adolescents requires an ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Machine
Along with worldwide epidemics of obesity and inactivity, high blood pressure in children and teens is becoming a significant health concern. Around 6% of children have high blood pressure or hypertension, the same as 3%. The total number of cases goes up by almost five times, to about 30%, in obese teens.
The link between high blood pressure in childhood and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood strengthens with age. Hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance are two other risk factors for CVD that are linked to primary hypertension in children. Organ damage, like left ventricular hypertrophy and pathologic vascular changes, can also happen in children with high blood pressure (i.e., carotid intima-media thickness).
How are kids becoming more vulnerable to high blood pressure? Â
Factors that increase the risk of hypertension in young people include:
- Overweight Â
- Have a mother who smoked during pregnancy Â
- Have a background of high blood pressure or heart disease in the family  Â
- Low birth weight or premature birth   Â
- Have diabetes Â
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How is childhood hypertension diagnosed?  Â
A blood pressure reading is used to diagnose high blood pressure in children. Most children should have their blood pressure (BP) checked at every well-child visit and during some additional problem-based appointments.  Â
A healthcare worker drapes a cuff called a sphygmomanometer around the patient’s arm and sets a stethoscope underneath it to check blood pressure (BP). The provider inflates the cuff with air and then takes the reading as the air escapes.  Â
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The blood pressure (BP) reading is made up of two independent readings that are read together by the provider:Â Â Â Â
Systolic blood pressure: A blood pressure reading that measures the pressure in blood vessels is the highest when the heart pumps blood out.  Â
Diastolic blood pressure: The lowest figure in the reading measures blood vessel pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.  Â
 The results are compared to those expected for a child of the same age, weight, and height. High blood pressure is frequently diagnosed when blood pressure measurements are higher than the 95th percentile after several visits. (Because the stress of being at a doctor’s office can cause blood pressure (BP) to rise in some people, doctors take numerous measurements before diagnosing high blood pressure).  Â
Children with high blood pressure: what are the dangers?
High blood pressure, if left untreated, can harm a child’s organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys. Among the issues that can result from this damage are:
- Heart failure  Â
- Heart attack  Â
- Kidney failure  Â
- Stroke (a loss of blood flow to the brain)Â Â Â
How to treat high blood pressure in children?
In order to treat children with high blood pressure, researchers still need to figure out the best approach. Treating high blood pressure in kids isn’t that different from treating it in adults. Work closely with your child’s doctor to figure out what kind of treatment will help your child the most.
Here are some general guidelines:
Follow the DASH plan. (DASH) The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet plan says to eat less fat and saturated fat and more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods. Keeping a child from overeating salt can also help bring down their blood pressure (BP). A dietitian can help your child find ways to reach these goals without giving up favourite foods or great flavours.
Watch your child’s weight. Having high blood pressure is more likely to happen if you are overweight. Your child can lose weight if they follow the DASH eating plan and work out regularly. Ask your child’s doctor to help your child set weight-loss goals. Your child’s doctor can also put you in touch with other health care professionals who can help you set up a plan to help your child lose weight.
Taking medications. If your child’s high blood pressure is serious or doesn’t get better after changing their lifestyle, their doctor may prescribe medicine. Finding the right combination of medicines to control high blood pressure with the fewest side effects may take some time.
Treatments for high blood pressure include:
- By assisting the body in eliminating excess sodium, diuretics reduce the quantity of fluid in the blood.
- ACE inhibitors, alpha-blockers, and calcium channel blockers assist in keeping the blood arteries from stiffening up.
- Beta-blockers prevent the production of the hormone adrenaline by the body. Adrenaline is a hormone of stress. A faster and harder heartbeat is the result. It also causes blood vessels to constrict. All of this increases blood pressure.
- If the underlying reason for high blood pressure can be identified, it is treated. Include hormonal disorders, aortic coarctation, and sleep apnea. or additional sleep disorders.
By developing a complete health plan with your health provider like a Blood Pressure Monitor, you can help your kid control high blood pressure and enjoy many years of good health.
