Blood pressure is the amount of pressure and force blood exerts on the blood vessels and is reported as systolic over diastolic pressure in millimeters of mercury, mmHg. High blood pressure can occur in children, which is why it is important to check blood pressure in children. The American Heart Association recommends that blood pressure testing begin at age three, and should be checked at least once a year after that. Normal and high blood pressure values are based on a child's gender, age and height.
Age: Year One
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, or NHLBI, high blood pressure in boys is 98 over 54 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is a 100 over 56 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 85 over 37 mmHg and for girls it is 86 over 40 mmHg.
Age: Year Two
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 101 over 59 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 102 over 61 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 88 over 42 mmHg and for girls it is 88 over 45 mmHg.
Age: Year Three
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 104 over 63 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 104 over 65 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 91 over 46 mmHg and for girls it is 89 over 49 mmHg.
Age: Year Four
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 106 over 66 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 105 over 68 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 93 over 50 mmHg and for girls it is 91 over 52 mmHg.
Age: Year Five
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 108 over 69 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 107 over 70 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 95 over 53 mmHg and for girls it is 93 over 54 mmHg.
Age: Year Six
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 109 over 72 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 108 over 72 mmHg. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 96 over 55 mmHg and for girls it is 94 over 56 mmHg.
Age: Year Seven
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 110 over 74 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 110 over 73 mmHg. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 97 over 57 mmHg and for girls it is 96 over 57 mmHg.
Age: Year Eight
According to NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 111 over 75 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 112 over 75 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 99 over 59 mmHg and for girls it is 98 over 58 mmHg.
Age: Year Nine
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 113 over 76 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 114 over 76 mmHg. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 100 over 60 mmHg and for girls it is 100 over 59 mmHg.
Age: Year Ten
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 115 over 77 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 116 over 77 mmHg. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 102 over 61 mmHg and for girls it is 102 over 60 mmHg.
Age: Year Eleven
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 117 over 78 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 118 over 78 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 104 over 61 mmHg and for girls it is 103 over 61 mmHg.
Age: Year 12
According to the NHLBI high blood pressure in boys is 119 over 78 mmHg or higher, and for girls it is 119 over 79 mmHg or higher. The mid-range of normal blood pressure values in boys is around 106 over 62 mmHg and for girls it is 105 over 62 mmHg.
