Blood pressure, a measurement of the pressure in the arteries when the heart is actively pumping and when it is at rest, can be used to measure the health of the cardiovascular system. Although heart disease is rare in children, they still need to have their blood pressure checked.
Normal Readings
Normal blood pressure readings change as a child becomes older and grows, the Mayo Clinic explains. Therefore, children's blood pressure readings are compared with the readings of other children of the same age. A child is diagnosed with hypertension if his blood pressure is higher than 95 percent of children who are the same height, age and sex.
Causes
High blood pressure in children is often caused by an underlying disorder, such as chronic kidney disease. The kidneys are involved in controlling blood pressure and children with chronic kidney disease can experience elevations in their blood pressure, the National Kidney Foundation explains. Poor diet, being overweight and not getting enough physical exercise also can result in high blood pressure in children.
Effects
High blood pressure in childhood puts extra strain on the heart and arteries and can lead to an increased risk of developing a stroke or heart attack in adulthood. Hypertension also can damage the kidneys, making children more likely to have kidney problems later in life.
