You might think of high blood pressure, or hypertension, as being a problem only for adults, but children and even babies can have it too. Early detection is important, because high blood pressure can lead to various problems, both short- and long-term. The good news is treatment can be simple and result in better health overall.
The Facts
Blood pressure is literally the pressure of blood against the walls of blood vessels. Two forces cause the pressure: the heart pumping blood into the arteries and the arteries resisting the blood flow. It constantly changes and is affected by level of activity, body temperature, emotional state, diet, posture and medications. If someone has high blood pressure, the heart and arteries are under extra strain and may eventually stop working efficiently.
According to KidsHealth, a division of the non-profit Nemours Foundation, an organization devoted to improving children's health, an estimated 3 percent of all kids have high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends that all children 3 and up get their blood pressure checked annually.
Causes
In babies, prematurity or problems with the heart, kidneys or lungs are the most common causes of hypertension. Older children can also have high blood pressure caused by another disease called secondary hypertension, in which blood pressure returns to normal when the disease is treated.
With other children, rising obesity rates have been linked with increasing cases of hypertension. Some kids with hypertension have a family history, and others eat poorly, don't exercise enough or are under stress. This is called primary, or essential, hypertension.
Effects
Hypertension can lead to a damaged heart, kidneys, brain and eyes if not treated. As a child gets older, he'll be at higher risk for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss and hardening of the arteries. Short-term effects include dizziness, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds, change in vision and heart palpitations. High blood pressure also affects learning; kids with hypertension have problems with memory, planning and completing tasks that are complicated or goal-oriented.
However, if it's discovered early, monitored properly and treated, hypertension doesn't prevent a child from leading a normal life.
Measurements
Doctors measure blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer, a cuff that wraps around the upper arm and is inflated to create pressure and stop blood flow momentarily. As air is let out of the cuff, the blood starts moving again. A stethoscope lets the doctor hear the systolic pressure--the pressure at the peak of the heartbeat--and the diastolic, or resting, pressure. This results in two numbers, and blood pressure is given as a fraction of systolic over diastolic pressure, such as 120/80.
Diagnosis
Hypertension often doesn't produce symptoms, and blood pressure varies all the time, so several checkups are usually required to diagnose it properly. If your family has a history of high blood pressure, or your child is obese, it's especially important to take her to routine checkups.
Treatment
Medication may be prescribed; otherwise, physical activity and a healthy diet, with lots of fruit and vegetables and not too much salt, often lowers blood pressure. Relaxation techniques also help. If the hypertension is because of an underlying disease, it often disappears when the illness is treated.
If your child is also overweight, it may be recommend that he lose weight; however, weight lifting and strength training is not recommended for kids with hypertension, unless his doctor says it's all right.
