The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia states high blood pressure in young people may be a precursor to hypertension in adulthood. Blood pressure is measured as systolic pressure, the pressure when the heart pumps, over diastolic pressure, or resting pressure between heart beats. Systolic pressure is related to growth in adolescents. MassGeneral Hospital for Children explains that elevated blood pressure in young people may cause an enlarged heart or damage to the kidneys, eyes or brain.
Diet
MassGeneral Hospital for Children states that young people who are obese have a higher chance of developing hypertension. It correlates that more than half of the obese adolescents have HBP. Foods high in fat and sodium lend to overweight individuals putting more stress on the heart. It mentions that African-Americans show a higher sensitivity to salt which contributes to higher blood pressure values.
Lack of Exercise
According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, sedentary young people have an increased risk of HBP despite the individual's weight. It refers to a study that revealed inactivity and high body mass were linked to a high systolic BP. The same study named watching television and playing video games as the two most common contributing causes of HBP.
Poor Sleeping Habits
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cites research into adolescents receiving six and a half hours of sleep or less. Findings revealed that these individuals were two and a half times more likely to experience HBP. Those with poor sleep quality issues were three and a half times more likely to develop elevated blood pressure and hypertension. Adolescents require nine hours of sleep each night.
Genetics
Young people who have parents or grandparents with hypertension are more likely to develop HBP than those who don't. The genes for HBP are located on two chromosomes, thirteen and eighteen. MassGeneral Hospital for Children cites a study between twins and families that show a strong tie between hereditary makeup and elevated blood pressure.
