{"id":6571,"date":"2022-12-22T21:27:19","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T21:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.theemtspot.com\/?p=6571"},"modified":"2026-04-11T19:53:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T19:53:59","slug":"hypertension-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/hypertension-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Hypertension In Children: Causes, Treatments, Prevention Methods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-larger-font-size\"><strong>Quick Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"--ek-bullet-color:#ea4474\" class=\"wp-block-list is-style-connected has-list-bullet-color\">\n<li>A blood pressure level above or equal to the 95th percentile of children of the same age, height, and gender is considered hypertension in children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are usually two types of hypertension in children: Primary and Secondary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High blood pressure does not frequently have life-threatening cardiovascular consequences in children. The harmful effects of hypertension typically grow over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>High blood pressure is a condition that primarily affects adults, but it&#8217;s becoming more common in <strong>children and teens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Its causes can range from specific health concerns or drugs to other factors such as family history, age, weight, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though hypertension rarely causes <strong>apparent symptoms<\/strong>, it&#8217;s critical to have your child&#8217;s <strong>blood pressure checked <\/strong>once in a while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading to discover more about what causes hypertension in children, its prevention, and how to manage it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-columns gb-slate-section-text-with-cta gb-slate-text-with-cta gb-layout-columns-1 gb-1-col-equal gb-has-background-dim gb-has-background-dim-30 gb-has-custom-background-color has-black-color gb-columns-center alignwide\" style=\"padding-top:3em;padding-right:1em;padding-bottom:3em;padding-left:1em;background-color:#ffeaf0;background-position:50% 52%\"><div class=\"gb-layout-column-wrap gb-block-layout-column-gap-3 gb-is-responsive-column\" style=\"max-width:872px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-genesis-blocks-gb-column gb-block-layout-column\"><div class=\"gb-block-layout-column-inner\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:28px\">You can listen the review of this article on TheEMTSpot\u2019s PODCAST (Episode 22) hosted by Samuel Harrison and Olivia Harper \u2013 check out the video below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What Parents Should Know About High Blood Pressure in Kids | TheEMTSpot&#039;s PODCAST (EP. 22)\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C_8ykIpY_tU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>What Is High Blood Pressure Or Hypertension In Children?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hypertension in children is defined as a blood pressure reading greater than or equal to the <strong>95th percentile <\/strong>of kids of the same age, height, and sex. A child&#8217;s blood pressure reading must exceed this mark at <strong>three <\/strong>office visits to be diagnosed with hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Teenagers of age <strong>13 and older <\/strong>share the same diagnostic criteria as adults when it comes to hypertension. It means that a blood pressure reading must be <strong>130\/80 mm Hg <\/strong>or higher for the teen to be diagnosed with this condition, just like adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>What Is The Cause Of Hypertension In Children?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several reasons for high blood pressure in children, majorly categorised as <strong>primary and secondary hypertension.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Primary hypertension, caused by <strong>unknown factors<\/strong>, accounts for most cases in adults and children. On the other hand, secondary hypertension is caused by an underlying issue such as a <strong>kidney problem <\/strong>or narrowing of arteries to the kidneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Primary hypertension can be due to several factors, such as being <strong>overweight <\/strong>or having a family history of hypertension. Secondary hypertension can also be caused by <strong>rare adrenal gland tumours <\/strong>or conditions like kidney disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In many cases, discovering the underlying cause of high blood pressure in children can lead to treatment that prevents more serious <strong>heart health issues <\/strong>in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>Are There Any Signs Of Hypertension In Children?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding hypertension in children, experts say it&#8217;s <strong>rare <\/strong>to experience symptoms at normal blood pressure levels. However, if your child&#8217;s blood pressure is <strong>very high <\/strong>(a hypertensive crisis), they may experience any of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Headache<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seizures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visual issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nausea or vomiting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chest tightness or pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heart palpitations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If these symptoms are causing severe discomfort or impacting your child&#8217;s daily life, it&#8217;s essential to <strong>get them checked <\/strong>out by a doctor as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>How Can You Manage Hypertension In Your Child?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a child with hypertension, you likely want to do whatever you can to get the blood pressure under control. <strong>Lifestyle changes <\/strong>are usually the first step recommended by your paediatrician. <strong>Treatment for secondary hypertension <\/strong>may need other evaluations and treatment by specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The treatment goals for hypertension vary depending on the <strong>child&#8217;s age<\/strong>. Usually, they help to get the child&#8217;s blood pressure under the 90th percentile for their age and height or to keep it as low as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, if lifestyle changes and medication don&#8217;t lower blood pressure enough, then other treatments may need to be considered. These include <strong>ACE inhibitors<\/strong>, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/blood-pressure\/medications\/diuretics\/\" class=\"ek-link\">thiazide diuretics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These medications are generally <strong>safe for children<\/strong>. Experts believe there is no known &#8220;one size fits all&#8221; approach regarding which medication should be given first to treat hypertension in a child. Instead, doctors choose medications on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>Ways To Prevent Your Child From Having Hypertension<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no guarantee that you can prevent your child from having hypertension, but there are a few things you can do to<strong> reduce their risk<\/strong>. In cases where high blood pressure is due to being overweight, a poor diet, or lack of activity, following some lifestyle measures can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Eat healthy food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A balanced diet is vital and includes plenty of <strong>fresh fruits and vegetables <\/strong>and reduced sugar and excess fats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Cut down salt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reducing sodium intake may help, but speak with your child&#8217;s doctor. They can help you get the best <strong>low-sodium diet <\/strong>plan according to the age and weight of your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Physical activity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Exercise is another important way to promote good <strong>cardiovascular health<\/strong>. Activities like walking, running, biking, and playing sports help keep kids moving each day. Also, kids between the ages of 6 and 17 should aim for at least one hour per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Maintain a healthy body weight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintaining a <strong>moderate weight <\/strong>is also key to preventing hypertension. Speak with a doctor if you have concerns about your child&#8217;s weight status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>What Is The Long-Term Outlook Of Hypertension In Children?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Children do not usually suffer the life-threatening cardiovascular effects of high blood pressure. The adverse effects of hypertension usually <strong>develop over many years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a child&#8217;s blood pressure is elevated, it is important to find out what is causing the problem and address it as soon as possible. This can be done through <strong>lifestyle changes, medication<\/strong>, or a combination of both. Thus, we can help ensure that your children have a long and <strong>healthy future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"rtex-highlighter-1\"><a><\/a>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you think of hypertension, you probably think of adults. However, kids are also susceptible to developing this medical condition. Kids with hypertension are at an <strong>increased risk <\/strong>for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/hypertensive-heart-disease\/\" class=\"ek-link\">heart disease<\/a>, stroke, and other serious health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Factors that may increase the risk of hypertension in children include <strong>genetics<\/strong>, <strong>lifestyle choices<\/strong>, and environmental exposures. Many children who develop high blood pressure <strong>do not <\/strong>have any visible symptoms at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With prompt treatment and <strong>lifestyle modifications, <\/strong>you can help your child avoid further health issues associated with high blood pressure as they grow.<\/p>\n\r\n\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-container\"\r\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-container daexthefu-layout-side-by-side daexthefu-alignment-left\"\r\n\t\t\t\tdata-post-id=\"6571\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-feedback\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-text\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"daexthefu-title\">Was this helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-buttons\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-yes daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text\" data-value=\"1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-button-text\">Yes<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-no daexthefu-button daexthefu-button-type-text\" data-value=\"0\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-button-text\">No<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-top-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<label id=\"daexthefu-comment-label\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-label\"><\/label>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-number\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-character-counter-text\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<textarea id=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\" class=\"daexthefu-comment-textarea\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tplaceholder=\"Type your message\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmaxlength=\"\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t400\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"><\/textarea>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-comment-buttons-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-submit daexthefu-button\">Submit<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"daexthefu-comment-cancel daexthefu-button\">Cancel<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"daexthefu-successful-submission-text\">Thanks for your feedback!<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Need to know if your child has hypertension? Read this guide and learn about what is the cause and how can you prevent your child from high blood pressure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_helpful_status":1,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blood-pressure"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6571","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6571"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":538586,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6571\/revisions\/538586"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theemtspot.com\/health\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}