Blood pressure readings measure the pressure on the arteries when the heart contracts and relaxes. Blood pressure is a measurement used to assess the risk of possible disease, including heart and kidney disease. Blood pressure rises slowly as children age. The American Heart Association recommends children be monitored for high blood pressure once a year. High blood pressure in children is a risk factor for strokes in adulthood.
Function
Even though high blood pressure is an indicator of poor health, blood pressure is essential for the body. Low blood pressure can lead to unconsciousness, coma or death. The heart contracts in an effort to push blood through the chambers and into the arteries. The pressure confers oxygen exchange in the lungs and gas exchanges in the tissue. This means the blood is able to receive and deliver oxygen and remove metabolic waste in the form of carbon dioxide.
Significance
Blood pressure in children should be closely monitored by physicians. High blood pressure signals underlying health problems. One health problem associated with high blood pressure is kidney disease. When kidneys fail, blood pressure is affected and it may be asymptomatic in a child. Blood pressure readings help detect conditions that can be treated more easily the earlier they are discovered.
Procedure
A child's blood pressure is measured by a device called a sphygmomanometer. The device has a digital display, a pump and a cuff that wraps around the child's arm. The doctor inflates the cuff until circulation of blood in the arteries is cut off. The cuff is then slowly deflated, and the doctor places a stethoscope on the child's arm to listen for sound. The first sound heard is the child's diastolic blood pressure, which is when the heart contracts. As the cuff continues to deflate, blood rushes into the arteries and the sound stops. The point at which the sound stops is the diastolic pressure, which is when the heart relaxes.
Results
Standard blood pressure results for adults are different than for children. Normal blood pressure readings vary with the child's age, height, weight and gender. Overall, a good systolic value for adolescent children is about 120. A good diastolic pressure is 70 to 80. A doctor can help you decide if the numbers are healthy for your child.
Considerations
If a child's blood pressure is abnormal, your doctor may prescribe more frequent visits to detect any changes. Lifestyle changes, such as better eating habits, exercise and weight loss, can help your child lower his blood pressure results. Lowering his intake of saturated fats can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Exercise contributes to weight loss and also reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
