High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents
What is high blood pressure in children?
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. Two numbers
are recorded when measuring blood pressure:
- Systolic pressure. This is the higher number. It refers to the highest pressure inside the artery. It
occurs when the heart contracts and pumps blood to the body.
- Diastolic pressure. This is the lower number. It refers to the lowest pressure inside the artery. It
occurs when the heart relaxes and fills with blood.
For example, if a child's blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg, 110 is the systolic blood
pressure and 70 is the diastolic blood pressure.
High blood pressure (hypertension) means that the pressure inside the arteries is
too high. This higher pressure may harm the arteries and cause the heart to work harder.
- If the pressure is high when the heart contracts, then the systolic pressure will
- If the pressure is high when the heart relaxes then the diastolic pressure will be
The systolic or diastolic pressure, or both, may be high.
Many things affect blood pressure. These include:
- Time of day. Blood pressure changes throughout the day.
- Physical activity. Blood pressure is usually higher during and right after exercise.
- Emotions. Feeling angry, afraid, or happy can affect blood pressure. Feeling anxious or nervous
at the healthcare provider's office may also affect blood pressure.
- Age, height, weight, and gender. Blood pressure is lower in infants compared with older children. Taller children usually
have higher blood pressure than shorter children. Overweight or obese children are
more likely to have high blood pressure. And boys usually have slightly higher blood
pressure than girls.
- Illness or medicines. This might be heart disease or kidney disease.
- Diet. Salt, foods with high salt content (such as packaged meats), alcohol, drinks with
caffeine (such as coffee and soda) can all raise blood pressure.
One high blood pressure reading does not mean that your child has high blood pressure.
Your child's healthcare provider will want to check your child's blood pressure over
a period of days or weeks. When blood pressure stays high, it may be a problem.
What causes high blood pressure in a child?
Blood pressure can be primary. This means the cause isn't known. Or it may be secondary.
This means it happens with illness or certain lifestyle choices.
Secondary causes of high blood pressure in children and teens include:
- Kidney disease and heart disease
- Prescription medicine such as corticosteroids or birth control pills
- Illegal drugs such as cocaine
Which children are at risk for high blood pressure?
Children and teens are more likely to have high blood pressure if they are:
- Have a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease
- Are boys
- Have a mother who smoked during pregnancy
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure in a child?
Usually, high blood pressure doesn't cause any symptoms. This is why it is often referred
to as the silent killer. It is often found during a routine visit to a healthcare
How is high blood pressure diagnosed in a child?
Your child's healthcare provider will diagnose high blood pressure by checking your
child's blood pressure. The provider will check blood pressure over several days or
weeks before making the diagnosis. Your child's healthcare provider will also:
- Review your child's health history, including diet, exercise, activities, and emotional
- Review your family history
- Give your child a physical exam
Reliable blood pressure readings taken at home can be helpful in determining if your
child truly has high blood pressure. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring uses a device
that can be worn for 24 hours. It takes multiple blood pressure readings and can help
get a more accurate reading of overall blood pressure.
Your child's provider may also order tests. These may include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG), to check your child's heart rhythm
- Blood tests
- Urine test
How is high blood pressure treated in a child?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also
depend on how severe the condition is. If your child's healthcare provider has found
a secondary cause, such as kidney disease, the disease will be treated. If the provider
hasn't found a cause, treatment involves making lifestyle changes. These may include
eating a heart-healthy diet that:
- Has lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat dairy products
- Is low in salt
- Limits fatty and sweet foods
Other lifestyle changes may include:
- Losing weight
- Getting more exercise
- Learning to manage emotions and stress
- Quitting or staying away from smoking
- Staying away from alcohol
Many children and teens are able to lower their blood pressure with lifestyle changes.
But some children may need medicine.
What are the complications of high blood pressure in a child?
High blood pressure may damage the blood vessels and heart. This increases the risk
for heart attack and stroke later in life.
What can I do to prevent high blood pressure in my child?
Not all high blood pressure can be prevented. But making heart-healthy lifestyle choices
may lower the chance of developing high blood pressure. Help your child:
- Keep a healthy weight
- Eat a healthy diet
- Be active every day
- Stay away from smoking
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children and teens (older than
3 years of age) have blood pressure screenings at their yearly well-child visit. Blood
pressure should be checked in all children and teens older than 3 years of age at
every healthcare encounter if they are obese, are taking medicine known to increase
blood pressure, have kidney disease, diabetes, or a history of aortic arch obstruction
or coarctation. Normal blood pressure in kids depends on their gender, age, and height.
When should I call my child's healthcare provider?
If you have a family history of high blood pressure or heart disease, make sure your
child's provider knows. And if your child is overweight, make sure you talk with his
or her provider about ways to lose weight.
Key points about high blood pressure in children
- High blood pressure means that the pressure inside the arteries is too high. This
may harm the arteries and cause the heart to work harder.
- High blood pressure often has no known cause. Some health conditions and medicines
may cause high blood pressure.
- Blood pressure changes. Your child's provider will check it over a period of days
or weeks before making a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
- Lifestyle changes like weight loss, exercise, and healthy eating can help to lower
high blood pressure.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
- Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
- Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
- At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments,
or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
- Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child.
Also know what the side effects are.
- Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
- Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
- Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
- If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose
for that visit.
- Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important
if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.